The US military notes its continuing efforts to use money and cultural support for Afghans to normalize their lives and their country.  As noted previously, the US military has direct access to government funds to “meet emergency needs of civilians in support of humanitarian operations.”

The article notes that one intentional recipient of such US government funds has been mosques, both in Afghanistan and Iraq.  As noted by a unit Chaplain, Chaplain (Capt) Abraham Sarmiento:

The next project brought buckets of paint, brushes and rolls of carpet in an effort to refurbish two mosques that were still in disrepair from the Soviet occupation. 

“Mosques are the central hub for an Afghan community, and the state of the mosque reflects the spiritual state of the community,” said [Chaplain] Sarmiento…”In the Muslim religion, the mosque is a place that is visited frequently, where the people go to rekindle their spiritual strength. For [us] to aid in the refurbishment of a mosque displays to the villagers that we understand its importance to them, and that we respect their beliefs.”

In the four months since its conception, [the] civil affairs team has…purchased enough carpet and paint to refurbish three mosques.

(In an apparent contrast, repairs to a historical church in Iraq were done “unofficially” during Soldiers’ free time.)

Perhaps someday the Afghan nationals will learn from the American “respect [for] their beliefs” and support a society that respects the religious beliefs of non-Islamic faiths.