TF Bayonet, TF Nashmi reach Afghans with first-ever program

LOGAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Thirty-four local Afghan leaders from the civic, social and security fields from Logar and Wardak provinces kicked off the initial phase of the "Voices of Moderate Islam" program, the first initiative of its kind in Afghanistan.

VOMI participants began their journey by boarding an U.S. Air Force aircraft at Forward Operating Base Shank, which transported them to Amman, Jordan for the second phase of the program - a comprehensive seminar experience with a focus on exposing the attendees to Islam in the context of a modern Jordanian society.

The idea for the program was developed by Task Force Bayonet and TF Nashmi, the Jordanian Ranger Battalion attached to TF Bayonet.

The initiative is sponsored by U.S. Embassy Kabul, U.S. Embassy Amman, and in partnership with the Jordanian Hashemite Charity Organization. As part of the capstone experience, and following the seminar phase in Amman, the Jordanian government is facilitating the attendees’ participation in the Umra, or lesser Hajj, in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

The Amman portion, which is ongoing, consists of lectures from prominent Islamic culture and religious scholars from the Hashemite Charity Organization, the Islamic University of Jordan, U.S. Embassy Amman and the Jordanian Armed Forces Director of iftar.

The experience includes visits to significant culture sites common to Islam, Judaism and Christianity.  

“Just after they arrived in Amman, King Abdullah II of Jordan paid the attendees a significant honor by hosting them for an evening Ramadan meal,” said U.S. Army Maj. Matthew Yandura, brigade information operations officer, for the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, who co-planned the event. “The attendees will never forget the respect that was shown to them by King Abdullah.”

After conducting the Umra, the participants will return to Logar and Wardak provinces for phase III, during which they will share the experience with their families, friends and colleagues in Afghanistan.

The purpose of Voices of Moderate Islam is to demonstrate a message of respect to key Afghan communicators and demonstrate the joint resolve of the U.S., Jordanian, and Afghan governments.

U.S. Army Col. Jim Johnson, commander of the 173rd ABCT, encouraged the participants to get the most out of the experience.

“This will be, no doubt, a life changing event for all of you. May you remember all that you will see and return home and share it with your family and friends so that they may benefit from what you learned,” said Johnson.

“This is an historic event on so many levels,” said Yandura, of Troy, Mich.  “While the insurgents have claimed that coalition forces are here to interfere with Islam, we demonstrate to the Afghan people that we respect their faith, and we respect them. This initiative has the potential to change the dialogue here for years to come – perhaps generations to come.”

Shaikh Mohammed Najm, TF Nashmi’s senior cleric said, “There are people who are using Islam and the political and social challenges that we are facing here to bring violence to Afghanistan. This program will counter that effort.”

“We believe that this initiative will help Afghans gain a new perspective on their faith and culture and our respect for both,” said John Lister, The TF Bayonet’s senior U.S. State Department civilian.