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Posted: 10/19/2014 11:26:59 PM EDT
One of a series of guides put out for soldiers going to various countries around the world, the guide gave some basic cultural tips.
http://www.history.navy.mil/library/online/iraq_guide.htm 
This part of it was not very prescient. 
"That is what this guide is for. To help you understand the people and the country so that you can do the best and quickest job of sending Hitler back where he came from. And, secondly, so that you as a human being will get the most out of an experience few Americans have been lucky enough to have. Years from now you'll be telling your children and maybe your grandchildren stories beginning "Now when I was in Baghdad -----." " 
This part perhaps was: " Meet the People
But don't get discouraged. Most Americans and Europeans who have gone to Iraq didn't like it at first. Might as well be frank about it. They thought it a harsh, hot, parched, dusty, and inhospitable land. But nearly all of these same people changed their minds after a few days or weeks, and largely on account of the Iraqi people they began to meet. So will you. That tall man in the flowing robe you are going to see soon, with the whiskers and the long hair, is a first-class fighting man, highly skilled in guerilla warfare. Few fighters in any country, in fact, excell him in that kind of situation. If he is your friend, he can be a staunch and valuable ally. If he should happen to be your enemy--look out! Remember Lawrence of Arabia? Well, it was with men like these that he wrote history in the First World War. But you will also find out quickly that the Iraqi is one of the most cheerful and friendly people in the world. Few people you have seen get so much fun out of work and everyday living. If your are willing to go just a little out of your way to understand him, everything will be o.k." 
This advice has not changed in 70 years: "The Moslem bible is known as the Koran and the Moslems worship in mosques (mosks). They are very devout in their religion and do not like to have "unbelievers" (to them you are an "unbeliever") come anywhere near their mosques. You can usually tell a mosque by its high tower. Keep away from mosques. Even though you may have visited mosques in Syria or Egypt, the mosques in Iraq must not be entered. If you try to enter one, you will be thrown out, probably with a severe beating. The Iraqi Moslems even resent unbelievers coming close to mosques. If you have blundered too near a mosque, get away in a hurry before trouble starts. The Moslem religion requires a man to pray five times a day. This is done by facing the holy city of Mecca and going through a series of prostrations. Don't stare at anyone who is praying, and above all do not make fun of him. Respect his religion as he will respect yours." 
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Posted: 10/19/2014 11:30:58 PM EDT
[#1]
Good post.
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Posted: 10/21/2014 9:55:10 AM EDT
[#2]
Some PX/BXs were selling reprints of this book a few years ago.
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Posted: 10/21/2014 11:25:37 AM EDT
[#3]
edit
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