Officer From Greene County Describes Scene

Editor's Note: Maj. Michael Humphreys, a Greene County native and a graduate of South Greene High School, is assigned as a public affairs officer with the U.S. Army in Iraq. He sent the following article to The Greeneville Sun.

By Major MICHAEL HUMPHREYS

4th Infantry Division

BAGHDAD - Scratchy sound systems on every corner of the market blared cheery, upbeat music on March 20.

Shoppers jammed the sidewalks, moving from stores to street-vendors and buying everything from fresh-roasted almonds to women's clothes.

An Iraqi police officer stood guard while Iraqi men stewed lamb and rice in large black kettles over open flames.

Nearby stood the iconic Abu Hanifa Mosque in Old Adhamiyah, a district in northern Baghdad, where Iraqis celebrated Moulid al Nabi, the birth of the Prophet Muhammad, for the first time in five years.

Maj. Ike Sallee led a patrol of Multi-National Division - Baghdad soldiers through the streets of Old Adhamiyah to congratulate Iraqis on this festive occasion and to demonstrate his unit's resolve to keep it a safe and festive occasion for all Iraqis.

"We wanted to make a presence, let everyone know we're still here," said the Kissimmee, Fla., native, who serves as the operations officer for 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division.

Sallee's unit is currently assigned to the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division and, while partnering with Iraqi Security Forces and Sons of Iraq (Abna al-Iraq), has the responsibility for security in the old-town in the district of Baghdad known as Adhamiyah.

Instilling Hope, Optimism

Sallee said events like this one empower the Iraqi people, instilling hope and optimism, which is contagious.

"We can't fix all (Iraq's) problems, but if the people believe (security) is getting better then it builds momentum," he said.

Sallee and his soldiers mingled with Iraqis on a crowded sidewalk lined with goods pouring out of open store fronts on one side and street vendors on the other.

Sallee stopped to buy some fresh pastries from a young Iraqi man, while from above, Iraqis of all ages leaned out over second and third story balconies to watch the festivities below.

"What's most important about today isn't just that it is Muhammad's birthday, but that these people of Adhamiyah have not been able to do this (celebration) for the past five years," Sallee said.

The fact that Adhamiyah is finally able to pull out the stops and have the celebration they've put off for so long does come with many emotions.

Iraqi Capt. Hisham Issam Hussein, 1st Battalion, 1st Brigade, 11th Iraqi Army Division, has patrolled the streets of Adhamiyah for three years. His share of combat operations has made him a hardened soldier, but the festive city softens him just a little.

"I've seen IEDs (improvised explosive devices) and been in many firefights, but seeing this celebration brought tears to my eyes." Hussein said.

A Typical Sunni Festival

Moulid al Nabi is typically a Sunni festival and Old Adhamiyah is a mostly Sunni town but cooperation from the Shia-dominated Iraqi security forces in the region indicate a reconciliation movement.

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki added to the model of reconciliation by kicking off the celebration in a visit to Abu Hanifa on March 19. He called for all Iraqis to rise above division and violence.

It is too early to tell if today's celebration is a true indication of reconciliation but it is a measure of hope, said Iraqi Lt. Col. Majid A'assy Awany, a civilian relations officer. "No one was nervous because the situation seemed normal and natural. It (the celebration) is a prophesy of reconciliation if the doors remain open," he said.

Back on the streets in Old Adhamiyah, the local residents seem to have little regard for the political struggle as they celebrate this holy day.

"The closer you get to the individual," Sallee said, "the lines between Sunni and Shia are less defined."

Shia Families Returning

He said at least 84 Shia families have returned to the region in recent months with little backlash.

Deserving of much of the credit for the feeling of safety and security for the day's festivities were the citizen-led Sons of Iraq (Abna al Iraq).

A group of Iraqi children kicked around a soccer ball on Hanifa Street in a game of their own making while Sallee's patrol crossed the road to meet with SoI leader Abdul Ahmed Qadr.

The two men exchanged pleasantries before walking the short distance to pay their respects at the memorial of local hero and former leader, Riyadh al-Samarri, who was killed by a suicide bomber in January just one day after officially standing-up the Adhamiyah SoI.

Qadr's emotion was in stark contrast to the festive atmosphere as he stood in front of the marble tablet and recounted the sacrifices his city has made to arrive at this day.

Across the street, a group of mostly young girls dressed in all white fastaan and kafeeya, a traditional dress, waited with their elder chaperones to cross the road. Two mischievous boys broke free and ran for the cameras.

"Surra, Surra," (picture, picture) shouted one boy in a white dish dasha and arakchina, a white dress and skull cap. The elder Iraqi women quickly shooed the boys back in line among laughter and teasing from the other children, but the mood had switched back to celebration.

Events like the Moulid al Nabi celebration are not only a symbol of reconciliation, but a vehicle to the same, Sallee said.

"The Iraqi people can't do it by themselves. We can't do it by ourselves. The Iraqi army can't do it by themselves. It will take cooperation from everyone," he said.