Photo By Kenneth Griffin | Iraqi security force commanders prepare to break their fast during an Iftar dinner...... read more read more
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By Ken Griffin
2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division
CAMP TAJI, Iraq – The Warrior Brigade continued its tradition of eliminating cultural divides by hosting an Iftar dinner for Iraqi security force leaders at the Command Sgt. Maj. Cooke Dining Facility at Camp Taji, northwest of Baghdad, Sept. 21, 2008.
Col. Todd McCaffrey, commander, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team "Warrior," 25th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, and other senior leaders hosted Iraqi army, Iraqi police and national police commanders during the traditional meal, which Muslims have at the end of daily fasting during the holy month of Ramadan. The meal is traditionally shared as a community, with Muslims breaking the fast together right after Maghib, or sunset.
"The colonel ate dates and drank water to break the fast, just like one of us," said Iraqi national police Col. Ahmed Mohammed Mohammed Saleh, commander, 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, referring to the Holy Quran verse: "When one of you breaks his fast, he should do so with dates for they provide blessing, but if he cannot get any, he should break his fast with water for it is purifying."
After traditional prayers, the ISF commanders joined McCaffrey, his battalion commanders and other key leaders and advisors in the DFAC to begin the meal. McCaffrey kicked things off by welcoming his guests.
"Thank you, to our Iraqi partners. It's our honor to be able to entertain you." McCaffrey said. "Ramadan is a holy time for people in Iraq, and during this time, we're learning more about your culture ... it's an honor to serve with you and have you leaders here."
An Iraqi cultural advisor worked with the DFAC's head chef to prepare foods traditionally appropriate for such a meal. Those attending piled their plates with tomato-stuffed cabbage rolls, Kabuli rice, beef kabob, pita bread, tabouli, crab-stuffed trout and more.
"The dinner was very beautiful," commented IA Staff Gen. Ya'arub Mahdi Hassan al Khafaji, commander, 34th Brigade, 9th Infantry Division, as he spoke with other commanders on the patio.
"Excellent," agreed IA Staff Col. Ala'a Hussein Jiwad, commander, 36th Bde., 9th IA Div.
Warrior team members spent approximately four weeks coordinating the dinner and worked hard to get everything right, said Sgt. 1st Class Valentin Fletes, the information operations non-commissioned officer in charge, 2nd SBCT.
"Ramadan is only once a year, and seeing as our cultures can be so different, it's important to find ways to bridge the gap," said Fletes, after describing the work that went into selecting the menu and overseeing the preparation. "And we especially wanted to bring pineapples. Although they're known in Iraq, they're considered to be a bit exotic, and we wanted to definitely share that."
In addition to the fresh-cut watermelon and pineapple available for dessert, the brigade ensured there was a whole pineapple for each Iraqi attendee.
Although not a requirement, many Muslims give or bring desserts or sweet gifts for Iftars. McCaffrey said he felt the pineapple fit that requirement and would exemplify the message he had for his ISF counterparts.
"When you leave we have a gift for each one of you. I'm not clear if the pineapple is common in Iraq ... but in Hawaii, this represents the spirit of hospitality, and here, it represents how much you mean to us. This present is a display of the unity we all share," McCaffrey said.
"It's a pineapple that represents Hawaii, but I think it was probably grown in the Phillipines," he added, drawing a bit of laughter from the crowd. "Please spend some time with us; we look forward to continue serving with each one of you – shukran."
Recently, the Warrior Brigade was able to share traditional Polynesian dancing with some of their Iraqi partners, so the dinner wasn't the first cultural exchange. Most likely, added Fletes, it won't be the last before the brigade redeploys.
| Date Taken: | 09.21.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 09.28.2008 08:22 |
| Story ID: | 24236 |
| Location: | TAJI, IQ |
| Web Views: | 112 |
| Downloads: | 90 |
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