Local Afghans, Coalition forces celebrate the end of Ramadan at BAF

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- Abdal Rahman Mangal, Deputy Governor of Paktya province, Afghanistan, speaks with Brig Gen. Steven Kwast, commander, 455th Air Expeditionary Wing, during the Eid ul-Fitr celebration at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, Sept. 21. Many dignitaries, coalition leaders and professionals met to celebrate the Muslim holiday ending the fasting of Ramadan. (U.S. Army photo/Spc. William E. Henry)

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Local Afghans, Coalition forces celebrate the end of Ramadan at BAF

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- Combined Joint Task Force-82 and Regional Command East, commanding general, Maj. Gen. Curtis Scaparotti speaks during an Eid ul-Fitr celebration held at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, Sept. 21. Many dignitaries, coalition leaders and professionals met to celebrate the Muslim holiday ending the fasting of Ramadan. (U.S. Army photo/Spc. William E. Henry)

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Local Afghans, Coalition forces celebrate the end of Ramadan at BAF

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- Task Force Cyclone commander, Brig. Gen. Lonnie Culver, commanding general, 38th Infantry Division, speaks with Panjshir provincial Governor Haji Bahlol during an Eid ul-Fitr celebration held at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, Sept. 21. Many dignitaries, coalition leaders and professionals met to celebrate the Muslim holiday ending the fasting of Ramadan. (U.S. Army photo/Spc. William E. Henry)

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Local Afghans, Coalition forces celebrate the end of Ramadan at BAF

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- Dawn Liberi, the senior civilian representative for Combined Joint Task Force-82 and Regional Command East, speaks during an Eid ul-Fitr celebration held at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, Sept. 21. Many dignitaries, coalition leaders and professionals met to celebrate the Muslim holiday ending the fasting of Ramadan. (U.S. Army photo/Spc. William E. Henry)

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Local Afghans, Coalition forces celebrate the end of Ramadan at BAF

Published Sept. 22, 2009
By Spc. William E. Henry
Task Force Cyclone Public Affairs

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- Many Afghan dignitaries and international military coalition members visited Bagram Air Field, Sept. 21, for a celebration of Eid ul-Fitr, the Muslim feast that marks the end of fasting for Ramadan.

Along with traditional Muslim dishes, great conversation was served up between members of all parties.

Many key leaders from Regional Command East attended the event. The key note speakers were Combined Joint Task Force-82 and RC-East commander, Maj. Gen. Curtis Scaparotti, commanding general, 82nd Airborne Division, and Dawn Liberi, the senior civilian representative for RC-East.

Both spoke of the importance of Islam and how by joining together peace can be made.

"There are over 7 million Muslims in the United States and over 1,200 mosques," said Liberi, noting the similarities. "Islam is something that joins America and Afghanistan."

"In our commitment to the people of Afghanistan, to its diversity and history, its beauty, potential and independence, none of us are alone in our mission," said Scaparotti. "Our sons and brothers, fathers and uncles, sisters and mothers have sweat, bled and struggled together for each other and for Afghanistan. They do it for the children, for their tomorrow, so that they may one day know the joys of God's blessings without fear, with laughter not tears, united in peace not divided by conflict."

It was a peaceful event in a friendly atmosphere among colleagues, coalition partners and friends sharing a common goal for the successful future of Afghanistan.

Not only did the attendees celebrate Eid ul-Fitr, but the day also marked the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan's Day of Peace, held in observance of peace from 12 a.m. Monday to 12 a.m. Tuesday.