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PRT Zabul uses Shuras to build relationships, improve communities

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Oshawn Jefferson
  • U.S. AFCENT Combat Camera Team
KHALEQDAD KHAN, Afghanistan --  Building relationships, improving lifestyles and touching lives in Afghanistan takes dedication, patience and understanding.

Airmen and Soldiers assigned to the Provincial Reconstruction Team in Zabul Province use the Afghan tradition of the Shura to reach out to local villages as part of Operation Wroorwali, the Dari word for brotherhood.

"Partnering with the Afghans is critical to building and maintaining security in the region here," said Tech. Sgt. Christopher Loar, PRT Zabul information operations NCOIC deployed from Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark. "Shuras are a way for us to ask local village elders questions, get to know each other, build and plan as a team, and share in each other's culture."

A Shura is an Arabic word for 'consultation.' According to officials here, it's believed to be a method by which pre-Islamic Arabian tribes selected leaders and made major decisions. During a Shura the joint team asks local village elders about community concerns, such as, water availability, electricity, education, the need for teachers, schools and security.

"People need to know you're concerned about them and their problems," said Army Staff Sgt. Mindy Vorpahl, PRT Zabul civil-affairs team lead, a reservist deployed from the 404th Civil Affairs Battalion at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. "Afghanistan and its people have unique areas in which they need assistance. Getting a chance to listen and then act will result in us building true credibility throughout the region."

The goals of Operation Wroorwali is to meet with traditional Afghan villages who have little or no connection to the country's authorities and also meet with elders in villages where militant groups have previously found shelter, plotted attacks, or where drug and enemy weapons caches have been hidden.

"It's up to every village to tell us the whole story about their village," said "Craft," PRT Zabul interpreter. "Some villages will choose to stay neutral because they want to stay away from Taliban retaliation from perceived support of war-fighters here. But others will accept help and work with us. It will be hit or miss but the results of communication with these remote villages will be positive overall, because it shows somebody is reaching out to them."

Another unique aspect of these Shuras is the addition of Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan officials as key contributors during the mission.

"This new experience gives us a chance to talk to the people and let them know we are concerned about their problems," said Engineer Raheem Dad, Zabul Province Minister of Rural Reconstruction and Development. "Some of the elders in the villages are my old friends. They know I am Afghan, so I will listen and I let them know the Americans are here to help. Together we build trust between us and the local villages."

While helping Afghan citizens is rewarding and humbling for Airmen and Soldiers, hearing about different aspects of Afghan culture - from fear to success stories - fills war-fighters here with a sense of purpose.

"I can't image trying to overcome some of the obstacles some of these people have to overcome on a daily basis," said 1st Lt. Becky Heyse, PRT Zabul information officer deployed from MacDill AFB, Fla. "The people here are resilient, proud and resourceful. I've learned a lot about them and their struggle for their nation's sovereignty. It fills you with a purpose to do the best job you can to help the people here."

Since the Zabul PRT's implementation of Operation Wroorwali the team has conducted four Shuras throughout Zabul Province. The operation is aimed at securing and reaching out to 25 Afghan villages identified by the government as critical to operations throughout the region.

"We have a lot of young Airmen and Soldiers leading these Shuras and showing the dedication and determination it's going to take to make positives strides in Zabul Province." said Lt. Col. Erik Goepner, PRT Zabul commander, deployed from Langley AFB, Va. "We'll continue to work side by side with government leaders and elders in local communities throughout the region to develop governance and security for the Afghan people."