ZABUL PROVINCE, Afghanistan- While soldiers of Combined Task Force Duke assist and train the various political and military officials within the Zabul Province, the Jordanian Cultural Advisory Team assists by engaging the populace through their faith.
The JCAT engages the Afghan National Army and civilians through their mullahs, or religious leaders, providing insight on the Islamic religion.
During the past 11 months, Col. Alkhrissat Zeyad, JCAT commander, and his team have worked with International Security Assistance Forces, encouraging the people to stand up and build up Afghanistan for their future.
In support of Operation Enduring Freedom, the JCAT helps counter the ideas of enemy forces by explaining moderate Islam to the people.
“Most Afghans stand in the middle,” said Zeyad. “We want them to support the government and encourage the mullah to enable those in the middle to stand with the government.”
Zeyad said it’s important to explain Islam to the people because they do not know the real interpretation and meaning of Islam, but what the Taliban tells them.
He said the Taliban wants to keep the people of Afghanistan illiterate in order to educate them on views of Islam that support the Taliban’s interests.
Zeyad said he and his team help by encouraging civilian support of the Afghan National Security Forces and government and promoting support of women participation from the point of Islam.