FORWARD OPERATING BASE WARRIOR, KIRKUK, Iraq—In celebration of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, the 2nd "Black Jack" Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, hosted a special dinner on Forward Operating Base Warrior, Kirkuk, Iraq, Sept.15, breaking the fast for the day and giving a common ground for all the various groups they partner with to talk and enjoy a meal together.
"This dinner took away tension and helped people feel comfortable with each other," said Maj. Gen. Abdul Al-Ameer, the commander of the 12th Iraqi Army Division, which operates in the Kirkuk province.
The type of dinner, known as an Iftar—which translates to "fast breaking"—is only celebrated during the month of Ramadan when participating Muslims refrain from eating, drinking, smoking—and various other activities—from sunrise to sunset. Ramadan begins during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, starting the day after the sighting of a new moon and ending the day after the next month's sighting of the new moon.
"I was surprised to see the Army hosting this event," said 1st Lt. Ahmed Ismail, a Northern Oil policeman working as a liaison officer with 2nd BCT. "It was very nice."
Members of all different types of Iraqi security forces were here along with government, political and tribal leaders, according to Ahmed.
Guests included Maj. Gen. Jamal Bakr, the Kirkuk provincial police chief, Maj. Gen. Abdul Al-Ameer, Brig. Gen. Sami Amin Othman, the Northern Oil Police commander, members of the Kurdish intelligence organization, Asa'yish, and several provincial council members representing Kurds, Turkomen and Arabs.
"It was a very good opportunity to meet everyone," said Ameer.
The majority of the guests were seated at a large, round table in the center of the room, offering them the opportunity to talk to those around them.
"A lot of times they cannot meet each other because of security," Ahmed said about the guests.
All the food was picked up from the local community, allowing the Iraqis to enjoy a more traditional meal.
"We wanted to show our appreciation for our partners," said Lt. Col. Hugh McNeely, the deputy commanding officer of 2nd BCT. "Show [them] that we recognize the season of Ramadan in a way that is acceptable in their faith."
Following the meal, guests were given a chance to talk and contact information.
"The significance of Iftar meals are that they allow people to get to know one another as people and not just as someone with a different viewpoint," said McNeely.
Arab tribal leaders were hugging Kurdish leaders, and people really seemed to be getting along, according to Ahmed.
"Ramadan or not, I wish we were always able to meet with each other," said Ameer.
"Hopefully anytime a new unit comes, we can all sit down like this and talk together like one family, one Iraq," said Ahmed. "If we work altogether, there will be no place for terrorists."