Singing event shows cultural progress

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Joe Thompson | Members of the audience dance and wave their hands to music played by Sabah al-Kayat, at the Provincial Reconstruction Team sponsored rule of law and human rights singing event in al Kut.  

AL KUT, IRAQ

07.04.2008

Story by Sgt. 1st Class Joe Thompson 

Multi-National Division-Central

By Sgt. 1st Class Joe Thompson
41st Fires Brigade Public Affairs Office

FORWARD OPERATING BASE DELTA, Iraq – Discussing the rule of law and human rights does not normally bring a large crowd, but the people of al Kut swarmed to the al Kut municipal theater to hear such a message.

Approximately 900 people attended a two-day performance by two famous Iraqi singers organized by the Wasit Provincial Reconstruction Team.

"It has been five years since singing was allowed in Wasit," said Sabah al-Kayat, one of the performers for the event.

"The PRT continues to plan and support cultural events that stimulate a cultural revitalization and return to normalcy in Wasit through plays, films, poetry contests and journalism conferences," said Vanessa Beary, the Wasit PRT public diplomacy officer.

This return to normalcy would not be possible without the support of the Iraqi security forces, the PRT and coalition forces.

"I'm really so happy and joyful to be among you today, with my sons and brothers from the (Iraqi) police and the Iraqi army in this song recital, which expresses the freedom of all Iraqi people in our society to express himself in various ways according to the law," said Maj. Gen. Hamood Facil Hanin, provincial directorate of police during his remarks at the first night of the event.

Hanin went on to read excerpts from the Iraqi constitution, outlining rights and freedoms entitled to every Iraqi. His remarks were met with enthusiastic applause from the crowd.

Colonel Richard M. Francey, Jr., the 41st Fires Brigade Commander also attended both days of the event to show the support of the U.S. and Coalition forces.

"I'd like to thank each of you for your growing support of increased security in al Kut and Wasit," said Francey to the audience in his opening remarks. "This increased security makes possible events like today's singing festival."

According to Beary, these non-religious and apolitical cultural events help strengthen the community and serve as indicators of cultural progress in Wasit.

"After the first cultural event of the Mud House play, people on the street were asking when the next PRT cultural event was going to happen," said Beary.

"We organized and planned the event with the help of the IP. Events such as this one help educate the citizens about the Iraqi constitution, and the role that security, with the peoples' support, plays in protecting these rights," he added.

During the intermission of the first night, Capt. Hayder Adnan Ali Al-Saidy, the Iraqi police Wasit Province liaison officer to coalition forces, handed out t-shirts with the 'Sing' logo on the front and on the back "For Love, Peace, To build a civilized Iraq, we will all sing together."

"I will continue to work with the PRT, to bring these cultural events to the people," said Hayder.

• Date Taken: 07.04.2008
• Date Posted: 07.04.2008 10:03
• Story ID: 21180
• Location: AL KUT, IQ