Afghans celebrate Ramadan, talk reintegration

KANDAHAR, AFGHANISTAN

08.03.2011

Courtesy Story

2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division

Story by 1st Lt. Jeffrey Parrott
1st Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division

KANDAHAR CITY, Afghanistan – Interim Mayor Muhammad Nasim, Provincial Joint Secretariat Reintegration Support Team leader Haji Omer Satai and other Kandahar City officials held Iftar with leaders from Combined Task Force Bison, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, in celebration of Ramadan Aug. 3 at the governor’s palace.

Iftar is the communal act of breaking the daily fast that Muslims practice during Ramadan.

As Afghan leaders and coalition interpreters excused themselves to perform a short evening prayer, a traditional Afghan dinner of lamb, chicken, rice and dates was served on large silver trays. Dinner was presented in this manner to encourage a "family style" meal.

Smiling at their American neighbors, Afghans held up a handful of rice encouraging soldiers to set aside their silverware and eat in a more traditional manner. Soldiers who ate the meal with their hands were applauded with smiles and laughs from the Afghans.
Satai spoke to the collective group about war, peace and the way forward for Kandahar.

“Afghanistan has been at war for three decades,” Satai said. “Now with the help of coalition forces, it is time to end the violence and bring peace and stability to Kandahar.”

Acknowledging that the international community is investing heavily in Afghanistan’s success as a state, Satai encouraged the Afghan leaders in the room to cooperate with the government of Afghanistan.

A part of Satai’s encouragement focused on reintegration. government-led programs designed to reintegrate former Taliban and insurgent fighters are beginning throughout Afghanistan. A former Taliban commander and product of reintegration was recently appointed as the Kandahar Minister of Hajj.

“It is now the responsibility of community leaders to prepare the future for a new generation of Afghans,” Satai said.

Community leaders took the opportunity to socialize with Interim Mayor Nasim and their International Security Assistance Force partners following dinner. During Ramadan, it is much easier to conduct business during the evening hours because Muslims fast during the day and are often spending this time with their families and out of the scorching sun.

As guests left, Nasim passed out new prayer rugs and Korans to Afghan community leaders, while thanking them for taking time away from their families during the holiday season.

The heat of the day had settled with the sun and a cool breeze swept over the city, rustling the green grass outside the governor’s palace. Change was coming to Kandahar City, and the heart of this change would come from the city government. If the minarets and mosques reminded Kandaharis of the Prophet Mohammad’s teaching, municipal buildings and green grass reminded the citizens that a future of peace and stability was on the horizon.

• Date Taken: 08.03.2011
• Date Posted: 08.13.2011 07:30
• Story ID: 75298
• Location: KANDAHAR, AF