LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
Ten colonels and lieutenant colonels from Afghanistan's Religious Cultural Affairs met with Air Combat Command and 1st Fighter Wing chaplains Sept. 5 as part of a week-and-a-half tour for the Strategic Leadership Planning Conference.
The conference, which hosts religious leaders from overseas, focuses on core tasks to establish and discuss four priorities: programs, planning, budget and implementation.
The purpose of the conference for the mullahs, or Islamic leaders, more than anything else was to help the foreign leaders better understand the relationship between religion, our military and how it affects the United States during war.
"They [Afghanistan officers] are not typically strategic leaders," said Navy Capt. James Fisher, Directorate of Religious Ministries Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan. The men performed as mujahedeen, or freedom fighters, during the Soviet-Afghan War "and have plenty of tactical experience," said Captain Fisher. "Now they need to add strategy to their experience."
"We learned a lot concerning religious delegation, culture differences and defense plans," said Afghanistan Capt. Partaw A. Mureed, the youngest RCA mullah, which is the religious equivalent to an Air Force chaplain.
Each Afghan RCA represented a core commander from each of the eight regions in the mountainous country.
The Afghanistan leaders visited the Eagle Room Dining facility, the new Airmen ministry center, dormitories, Shellbank Fitness Center and Langley Chapel and annex.
"It's important to show the officers how we conduct business and to show we appreciate their company," said Captain Fisher. "If we don't win [the support of] the mullahs, we won't win the war."
In a society where religion is the most powerful entity, these Afghan religious leaders hold a significant amount of guidance with their soldiers, according to the captain.
"The display today is how all chaplains should be. Freedom of religion for the United States protects the Americans; Islam protects Afghanistan. Regardless, faith ensures freedom and prosperity," said Afghan Brig. Gen. Amin Nasib.
General Nasib and others will conclude their tour Saturday and return home with a new understanding of the United States.
"There are many cultural differences between the Americans and us," said Captain Mureed. "But we have the same goal - that makes us one team."