Four mullahs from the Helmand province Ulema Council

Four mullahs from the Helmand province Ulema Council visited Afghan National Security Force students training at Joint Sustainment Academy Southwest aboard Camp Leatherneck Feb. 29. The senior Islamic religious leaders ate lunch with the students and Marine trainers before heading to a mosque on base to pray. One of the mullahs, Moulaway Mehrdei Farayee (pictured), speaking through a translator, said he had the opportunity to ask the students about their food, training, clothing, and if they were getting time to pray. “And they’re happy, so I’m happy.” Afghan National Army Sgt. Sadar Wali, also speaking through a translator, said the mullahs are his teachers. “I was so happy when I saw them. My morale was going up. We respect elders.” “It means a lot to them,” said Small Arms Weapons Instructor Course officer in charge Marine 1st Lt. Andrew Wilcox about the visit. “It helps with the trust and shows them that we care about them.” These visits are also important for the morale of the students, Wilcox said.