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FARAH, Afghanistan — The stage was set, or better said, a tent was raised and red carpet and rugs were laid out for a Shura in which Farah province Gov. Rahool Amin would speak to the elders and leaders of Masow Village for the first time.
A U.S. Marine Corps outpost in the Pusht Rod District surrounded by mountains provided the backdrop for this community outreach meeting. Gradually, the rugs placed outside the tent filled up with Masow men who took their shoes off to sit on the carpet.
Outside the barriers, crowds of young boys not allowed to attend the meeting piled up on top of a mud hut so they could see the governor's arrival by helicopter.
Members of the Italian Army Task Force South provided security for the outer perimeter including the landing zone for Gov. Amin, Farah Provincial Reconstruction Team commander, U.S. Navy Cmdr. Lawrence Vasquez, and U.S. State Department representative Gustavo Mejia, who flew to Masow from Forward Operating Base Farah.
Monshi Habib, leader of Masow village and a stay-at-home dad of 11 children ranging in age from seven to 35, opened the Shura. "Your opinions and thoughts matter the most," Habib said. "This Shura values them, the Farah governor values them. That's why we are here, to hear your concerns and to rectify them."
Both inside the tent and out, Afghan interpreters worked to translate Habib's words for the American and Italian coalition leaders witnessing this historic gathering. Habib asked a young girl to step forward. She was dressed in a bright orange and white outfit with a small black and white sweater. Her name was Farzana and she was the only girl in attendance.
Farzana stood in the middle of the Shura under the shade of the tent while her father remained amongst the audience. Habib spoke about a recent incident in which a bullet grazed the top of Farzana's head. Her wound is covered by her scarf and still healing. "God gave us another chance to show her more," he said. "With peace comes law, security, education and prosperity."
After Farzana joined her father again and Haji Basir, a member of the Provincial council spoke, the governor was introduced to the people of Masow.
"Come close, can you hear me?" Gov. Amin asked before he began his speech. "The provincial government has been and will continue to work for you."
The governor concentrated most of his words on expressing the need for the people of Masow to support the Afghan government and the International Security Assistance Forces' efforts for peace in the Pusht Rod District.
"Your future is in your hands," he said. "You can keep it like it is or you can change it. Let's wake up, let's decide. Who's going to bring you prosperity? Who's going to save your families?" Amin asked. "This is a small village, but it is the power in this district."
As the governor wrapped up his comments, Afghan national army soldiers handed out posters and leaflets with tip line numbers for reporting improvised explosive devices or other insurgency activity in the area.
"Our children and even many of us have known nothing but war and conflict for all our lives," Amin said. "Now is our best chance to work together to obtain peace — let us not waste it."
| Date Taken: | 12.15.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 12.30.2009 01:03 |
| Story ID: | 43268 |
| Location: | FARAH, AF |
| Web Views: | 385 |
| Downloads: | 274 |
This work, Farah Province Governor makes first appearance in Masow, by MSgt Tracy DeMarco, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
