81st TRW celebrates Eid al-Fitr

  • Published
  • By By Airman 1st Class Stephan Coleman
  • 81st Training Wing Public Affairs
KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Mississippi --  The Saudi Liaison Office held an Eid al-Fitr celebration for Keesler personnel and foreign students at the Bay Breeze Community Center July 28.

Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting, but the celebration was open to all faiths.

"I'm pleased and honored to see people from different countries, nations, languages and origins in one place to celebrate this event," said Lt. Col. Alloush Aldosary, Keesler Saudi Liaison officer. "I'm grateful to have the opportunity to share in our culture."

The event started with an address by Aldosary and Chaplain (Maj.) Robert Monagle, 81st Training Wing, followed by a guest speaker MD Sarder, who is an Associate Professor and Program Coordinator of Industrial Engineering Technology.

Sarder described Ramadan as a spiritual training month, and Eid al-Fitr as the celebration of that restraint.

The theme of the celebration was a call for unity among faiths, but also an opportunity to highlight diversity.

The international students showcased their culture through photographs and music from their home countries.

Aldosary emphasized the opportunity to share in each other's culture and for his students to explore American culture while they are here for training.

"I expect all students to invest maximum effort into their integration and take special advantage of their time in the United States," he added.

Many foreign students are at Keesler to study in the Precision Measurement Equipment Laboratory, which instructs proper calibration of equipment used in virtually every phase of maintenance for every piece of equipment the Air Force operates, said Michael Gainey, 335th Training Squadron instructor.

"It's helpful for me to be at an event like this," said Gainey. "I can better understand my students and what their lives are like."

Gainey, and other members of the 81st TRW, were recognized for their efforts in training and cultivating an open-hearted environment to international students.