Kandahar, Afghanistan
Icon inside the Romanian Eastern Orthodox chapel
My friend Joe and I decided to tour the Eastern Bloc portion of the base this afternoon. The NATO folks gather in various encampments throughout the base here on KAF. The Romanians and Bulgarians have one of the more interesting compounds, as they have erected an Eastern Orthodox church on its periphery. Made of simple plywood, it nonetheless is inspired and is clearly the most elegant structure on post.
For some unknown reason, the Romanian/Bulgarian camp has been the target of a disproportionate number of rocket attacks and have suffered several casualties. Are the bad guys shooting at this stately church? Just a thought - I doubt they are that good, frankly. But it makes one wonder why.
The Eastern Bloc encampment is situated on a corner that abuts the legendary Poo-pond. Maybe when the NATO reps were sitting around a table divvying up territory someone said "Last in NATO gets the Poo-pond plot." There is an urban legend that is widely circulated here: one of the Romanian special forces soldiers lost a bet. He had to swim in the Poo-pond. Adding some credibility to the myth is that he was found out and promptly sent home. Last one is is a rotten egg!
Poo-pond at the intersection leading to the Eastern Bloc camp
In most Muslim countries, churches and other religious buildings are not allowed to exist openly. They certainly aren't allowed to have crosses on the top. The Romanians have done something very provocative, especially considering that Afghanistan was recently under sharia law. It is no surprise that this area is being targeted. I'd stay clear if I were you. I wonder if the Romanians realize what they have done, or what danger they are in by worshipping there?
ReplyDeletethey did the same in Irak. Romanian soldiers are always building a small wooden church for them when they go to a war-zone. It's the first thing they do, cause they need a place to feel like home. The church in Kandahar was build in 2002 and it's still alive, no rocket could destroy it.
DeleteVery good point, hadn't thought about that. The church where I worship - mulitdenominational/Roman Catholic - is a plain structure which resembles a warehouse. The only thing that distinguishes it is the small plot of flowers out front, virtually the only vegetation one sees on this compound. I have to presume this issue of an openly visible crucifix has been brought up before, although it's not as though there is a "Daily Gazette" in which these things are discussed. It is common knowledge however, that the Romanians/Bulgarians have had more than their fair share of allegedly randomly targeted rockets. For what it's worth, there is at least one functional mosque on the compound and call to prayer is heard nightly. Thanks for commenting. TQ
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