A significant chapter in Salvation Army history has been brought to a close. During the week in which the world marked the third anniversary of the commencement of hostilities in Iraq, a unique Salvation Army Ceremony of Thanksgiving was held in Kuwait. The special meeting was convened to mark the conclusion of Salvation Army humanitarian activities in Iraq and to give thanks to God for the emergency response programme that has brought assistance to thousands.
Hosted by the National Evangelical Church of Kuwait, the ceremony also created opportunity for a unique gathering of Salvationists living and working in the region. An advertisement was placed in the Kuwait Arab Times announcing the Ceremony of Thanksgiving and inviting any Asian Salvationists living in Kuwait to participate. The newspaper also published photographs of the evening’s special guests, Commissioners Don Ødegaard (International Secretary for Programme Resources) and Commissioner Lalkiamlova (International Secretary for South Asia), and announced the purpose of the meeting. To see a Salvation Army meeting advertised in a Kuwaiti newspaper was unprecedented.
The response to the announcement exceeded expectations and more than 100 Asian Salvationists gathered, meeting alongside International Emergency Services personnel and representatives from donor organisations supporting the programme. The seats of honour were reserved for 15 Iraqi colleagues who travelled from cities across southern Iraq to take part. It is more than two years since the deteriorating security situation in Iraq prompted the withdrawal of Salvation Army International personnel from its base in Al Amarah. Since February 2004, the programme has continued under the direct implementation of approximately 50 Iraqi employees, supervised by a small management team of four International Emergency Services personnel based in Kuwait.
During the ceremony the congregation was shown a touching presentation depicting The Salvation Army’s extensive community recovery programme. In addition to construction programmes – building houses, schools and community centres – education and training programmes have taken place. Livestock has been distributed to vulnerable families and job creation schemes undertaken which have brought short-term employment to thousands.
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| Timbrelists play during the Ceremony of Thanksgiving |
Tribute was paid to the many officers and colleagues deployed to this programme. During the first year alone, more than 100 personnel served in Iraq, with representatives drawn from all five zones of the Salvation Army world. Many of these people would have loved to gather and meet with Iraqi staff who had become close and special friends during those deployments.
A highlight of the evening was a vocal item by Salvationists from the India South Eastern Territory, complete with an enthusiastic and polished timbrel display.
Commissioner Ødegaard read a message of congratulations from General John Larsson, presenting a framed copy of the letter to Muntajab Ibraheem, the supervisor of the Iraq staff team. Muntajab, proudly wearing the medal presented to him by General Larsson in 2004 when he was admitted to the Order of Distinguished Auxiliary Service, thanked The Salvation Army for its work and also outlined some of the work that has been undertaken by the Iraq Humanitarian Salvation Organisation – an independent national non-government organisation that has been formed with encouragement from The Salvation Army.
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| Commissioner Lalkiamlova (centre, in white uniform) with a group of Asian Salvationists |
Commissioner Lalkiamlova, moved by the enthusiastic response of the Asian Salvationists, gave the Bible message and spoke about God’s blessing upon the lives of his people. After the service the congregation gathered for refreshments.
The evening was a unique and historic gathering and one that will not be forgotten by all who attended. As the Emergency Services chapter comes to an end there are hopes and prayers that doors may open to build upon the links made with Salvationists living and working in Kuwait. With this in mind, Salvation Army leaders are looking to launch official pastoral work in the region.
International Emergency Services Coordinator
International Headquarters
