May 20, delegation of representatives of Chaghcharan Provincial Reconstruction Team led by Col Artūras Radvilas paid a visit to the Religious Affairs Department of Ghor and introduced the new shift of Lithuanian peacekeepers beginning service in Afghanistan. In the meeting PRT was also represented by Head of Civilian Component Jurgis Stanaitis and Head of CIMIC Team Maj Marius Geležiūnas.
PRT-15 Commander Col Artūras Radvilas in a meeting with Head of the Department Mullah Mohammed Shah Majidi expressed his delight in successful cooperation and accentuated the intent to continue developing positive relations of PRT and local religious community.
Head of PRT Civilian Component Jurgis Stanaitis emphasized the bilateral value of cooperation between local religious leaders and expressed a hope that still untouched areas of cooperation could provide great results through joint efforts. Thanking the guests for the visit Mohammed Shah Majidi wished them luck in amassing capacity to increase welfare of people of Ghor.
It was agreed to organise a lecture on Islam and local culture at the PRT base which would be delivered by representatives of the Religious Affairs Department of Ghor. "Such lectures are vital for the military and civilian personnel that gather in our camp from 10 states. Successful work requires to speak one language - that of respect and understanding," said Maj Marius Geležiūnas.
In the second part of the meeting local leaders introduced themselves to the PRT-15 delegation. Gen Ahmad Murghabi extended a thank-you on behalf of provincial people for the assistance in stabilizing peaceful environment, good governance, and an interrupted growth of social and economic welfare. Mayor of Chaghcharan Mohammed Osman Esmat expressed his delight in a steady successful cooperation between PRT, local municipality and population of Chaghcharan. Local leaders wished luck to the incoming PRT-15.
The Religious Affairs Department is a critical institution responsible for the abidance by the Islamic customs and law. Mullahs who are experts of the Islamic theology and the Holy Law are subordinate to this agency.
Currently PRT-15 formed by the Lithuanian Grand Duchess Birutė Motorised Infantry Battalion of the Lithuanian Land Force ensures security in Afghanistan. The shift is led by Lt Col Artūras Radvilas, Commander of the Battalion. It is the second deployment of the Battalion's personnel to the ISAF mission in Afghanistan. Combat flag of the unit flew in the PRT camp in Chaghcharan in 2008.
Lithuanian civilian and military personnel in Ghor executes the peacekeeping mission along with colleagues from Georgia, Japan, USA, Poland, Finland, the Check Republic, Ukraine, Crotia and Bulgaria.
PIO for PRT-15 1st Jurgis Norvaiša
Photo by Maj Marius Geležiūnas
