McGuire chaplain ministers to needs in Horn of Africa Published Aug. 15, 2006 By 1st Lt. Omar Villarreal Combined Joint Task Force CAMP LEMONIER, Djibouti -- A deployed McGuire chaplain was one of the two-person team from the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa that recently set out on a mission to the tropical Comoros Islands, meeting with religious leaders and distributing more than 1,000 pounds of humanitarian aid to islanders in need. Chaplain (Maj.) Mark Ingles, CJTF-HOA deputy director of religious affairs, and Religious Program Specialist Rozalia Jordan, embarked on a three-day trip that marked the third time a team from the CJTF-HOA chapel visited the islands. There, they met four religious leaders, including the Grand Mufti Said Taihir Ahmed Maoulana Djallail, the highest Islamic official throughout Comoros. According to Chaplain Ingles, the overall purpose of the Comoros visit was to reengage the Grand Mufti, after his attendance of the February Religions for Peace Conference at Camp Lemonier and to find a way to work with the Comorian religious leaders to solve some of the problems the country faces. "So many more people can be helped, and so much more can be done through cooperation," Chaplain Ingles said. "The goal is not to change a culture or persuade a group to be different, but to find out how to work together to accomplish a common objective." During the meeting, Chaplain Ingles asked the Grand Mufti chaplain what CJTF-HOA could do to help the small country. "This country is poor ... and we seek help," the Grand Mufti said. "It is hard to say what areas are in need of help most, but education is very important." The Grand Mufti added that the people on the islands are very smart and wish to make themselves better futures, but there are not always the necessary schools or supplies for them to accomplish this. He said improvement of infrastructure would be a positive move, and they are willing to accept help from anyone who offers. "We are Muslim in this country," the Grand Mufti said. "But no matter the religion ... religion is about helping." After the meetings with the religious leaders, Chaplain Ingles and Mr. Jordan distributed toys, clothes, school supplies and dental hygiene products to six villages on the island. "It seems like 1,000 pounds of supplies is a lot, but it is just a start," Mr. Jordan said. "I hope we keep in touch with the Comorian people and help provide them something they all can use." The CJTF-HOA chaplain's mandate is to develop and maintain support and cooperation in the CJTF-HOA area of responsibility through direct and indirect interaction with religious and civil leaders throughout the region. The CJTF-HOA's mission is focused on conducting operations and training in order to assist host nations in establishing secure environments and regional stability. Currently, there are projects such as clinics, schools, dormitories, medical civil affairs programs and veterinary civil affairs programs underway throughout the CJTF HOA AOR.