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Mosque Mission

Photo By Matt Acosta | Army Pfc. Zedadiah Marston (left), scout and Sgt. Pashaune Henson, team leader, Troop...... read more read more

09.15.2005

Courtesy Story

22nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

By Staff Sgt. Matthew Acosta, 22nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
FORWARD OPERATING BASE PALIWODA, Balad, Iraq -- An integral part of the new Iraqi Security Forces" success lies in the very people they have vowed to protect.

Without the support of those who live in Iraq, the effort to rebuild this country could be severely hindered; hence the importance of assessing the opinion of those who may have influence over the population.

One way to determine the opinion of those with this power is to listen to and translate mosque messages that are broadcasted for the townspeople to hear.

"We conduct what we call mosque missions where we go out and record the messages that are preached in town," said Sgt. 1st Class Jeffrey Bush, platoon sergeant, Company B, 5th Battalion, 7th Cavalry, Task Force Liberty. "Listening to the messages is a good way to see how the religious leaders perceive us and our efforts."

Bush said that, although many of the messages broadcast are innocent in nature -- preaching "good things," there have been reports of mosques" preaching anti-Coalition propaganda.

"It annoys [the Iraqi army and policemen] because their actions are being undermined by these few people who are trying to recruit [insurgents] or upset their progress," said Pfc. Aaron Schindewolf, medic, Co. B, 5-7.

Sometimes, the 5-7 Soldiers have driven right up to the mosque during the broadcast over the loudspeaker and recorded the message from within its secure perimeter. Bush said however, there have been times that as they pulled up, the broadcast stopped in the middle of the message.

"It's hard to say what was being said but it makes me think they were preaching anti-Coalition messages because when they see us coming, they stop the message," Bush said.

Due to this, the Coalition Forces have adapted their tactics to counter these alleged actions of secrecy.

"We decided to start approaching the mosques unseen when possible," Bush said. "We determine what mosque we are going to record, then see what cover is available around the area. On some missions, we get within several meters of it using the trees or orchids for cover."

On one particular mission, the Soldiers crept through an orchid prior to the broadcast and waited for the broadcast to begin.

"We got close to the speaker, which was mounted on the roof of the mosque; close enough to hear the message loud and clear," Bush said. "We also had an interpreter to let us know if there was an anti-Coalition message being played."

Bush said that after the message is recorded, it is turned over to the interpreters and translated into English, then used for intelligence purposes.

Although there may be anti-Coalition messages preached, there may also be pro-Coalition messages as well.

"Terrorists come from other countries to destroy this country," said "Jack," who is working as an interpreter with Coalition Forces, in reference to a translated mosque message.

"So we must stay together to build a safe country, so everybody can live in peace," he added.

"They are not all bad messages," said Jack. Sometimes mosques preach good messages for the Soldiers. That is why we have to go out and make sure they aren't preaching against our progress."

Soldiers go out on mosque missions weekly covering different mosques every time, Schindewolf said.

"Since we're not allowed to enter the mosques, all we can do is record the messages, but it's a good gauge in seeing what kind of positive support or negative influence is being preached," Bush said. "It gives us a heads up on what to expect from that area."