Afghan National Policemen welcome new year with music and dance

KANDAHAR PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN

03.20.2012

Story by Tech. Sgt. Renee Crisostomo 

Regional Support, NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan / Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan

KANDAHAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan - Afghan National Policemen and recruits celebrated the Afghan new year, or Nowruz, in a dining facility, turned into a music and dance room, at the Regional Police Training Center in Kandahar, March 20.

Brig. Gen. Nasrullah Zarifi, the Kandahar Regional Police Training Center commander, invited U.S., British and Romanian coalition members from the Regional Support Command (South) to celebrate the new year with the recruits and ANP staff.

“You’ve celebrated good occasions with us, but also supported us during times of grief,” Zarifi said to the coalition members during a pre-event gathering in his office. “Even if bad things happen here in Afghanistan, it’s not going to ruin our relationship with you.”

“For you to come celebrate with us, I thank you,” continued Zarifi. “It’s an honor for me that you have come to spend time with us.

An Afghan musical group started the festivities with the harmonizing beats of traditional Afghan instruments. The coalition members clapped to the music as some of the ANP staff members and recruits formed a dancing circle on the dance floor. It was an hour of celebration U.S. Army Lt. Col. John Hanson, RSC-S deputy commander, was appreciative to have participated in.

“Any day we can get out and celebrate with our Afghan partners is a good day,” expressed Hanson. “We respect the Afghan traditions and holidays and will actively take part in celebrating them.”

“There are so many positive things happening in Southern Afghanistan,” Hanson went on to say. “Many outstanding relationships are forged through a mutual RSC-S and Regional Command [South] effort which are reinforced through celebrations and events like this.”

In Afghanistan, the new year also signifies the start of the spring season.

• Date Taken: 03.20.2012
• Date Posted: 03.22.2012 08:27
• Story ID: 85599
• Location: KANDAHAR PROVINCE, AF