CPT Monte Hibbert
116th BCT Public Affairs
FOB WARRIOR, Iraq - Religious leaders of different faiths came together at a forum held in Kirkuk, Monday, September 19, with one thing in common, to learn about the upcoming elections and ended the show by condemning terrorist acts being committed.
At the Kirkuk Government Building, over twenty clerics from the Muslim and Christian faiths attended the "Making Your Voice Heard" forum, an outgrowth of an interfaith session held earlier in the summer.
Facilitated by the Kirkuk Business Center and sponsored by the 116th Brigade Combat Team Chaplain (Lt. Col.) John Worster, the religious leaders heard from press representatives about how to best get their message out using print and electronic media. They also heard from an Independent Election Commission of Iraq (IECI) representative, on IECI functions and the importance of the upcoming elections.
Sheikh Ali Khalid emphasized during the question and answer period that "God does not allow murder, and those who hide behind Islam to commit the terrorist acts taking place in Iraq today are false believers, bringing discredit to the Muslim faith."
The 116th Brigade Combat Team supports the efforts of the government of Kirkuk Province in the areas of communication, infrastructure, economics, health and security.
The 116th Brigade Combat Team is composed of units from Idaho, Oregon, Montana, Utah, North Dakota, Maryland and New Jersey. The unit is comprised of headquarters and staff sections, the 2nd and 3rd Armor Battalions, the 1-148th Field Artillery Battalion, the 1-163rd Mechanized Infantry Battalion, the 145th Support Battalion, the 116th Engineer Battalion, and various intelligence, signal, and specialized units. The 116th BCT is one of several Army National Guard units deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom III.