BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan (September 7, 2008) - A scripture from the Quran was printed on appreciation certificates presented to the Christians who coordinated the first Interfaith Prayer Breakfast held Aug. 27 at Forward Operating Base Gardez.

This breakfast brought together two unique faith groups for the common purpose of praying for Afghanistan and showing unity through a shared meal together, said Chaplain Jonathan Entrekin, 1st Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division.

Entrekin along with Maj. Christopher Wooten, Provincial Reconstruction Team executive officer, Mullah Abdul Raouf, the director of hajj and Afghan National Army Corps religious cultural advisor, Col. Sayed Wakef Shah, organized this event.  The breakfast brought together 100 individuals from the Coalition Forces, Afghan National Army and local religious leaders to pray and share a meal.

“Today’s occasion is a day to celebrate what we have in common as children of the Book and not our differences as Muslims and Christians,” said Lt. Col. Thomas O’Steen, 1st Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment commander, as he welcomed the group to the first interfaith prayer breakfast at FOB Gardez.

“We have far more in common than what makes us different and today we ask for God’s help to help us understand how unimportant these differences are as we work together toward a common goal. That goal is a better Afghanistan, a peaceful Afghanistan and prosperous Afghanistan,” he said.

This event demonstrates to the religious leaders of Paktya the sincere faith and hope the Coalition forces have for the nation of Afghanistan, said Shah.

Prayers were offered by Muslim and Christian leaders and a local student volunteered to recite a verse from the Quran. 
The breakfast ended with a prayer of hope for the future.