Chaplain provides insight to Islam Published Oct. 31, 2005 By Senior Airman S.I. Fielder 347th Rescue Wing Public Affairs MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. (AFPN) -- A chaplain here has received a national award recognizing his efforts to help warfighters better understand Islam. Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Thomas Azar, 347th Rescue Wing head chaplain, was named the 2004-2005 best military chaplain by the National Ministries, American Baptist Churches. “I was totally shocked,” he said. “Somebody had secretly submitted my name, and I didn’t find out until when I was contacted prior to the convention last July.” In 2004, Chaplain Azar served as the deputy command chaplain at Air Force Special Operations Command, Hurlburt Field, Fla. One of the programs Chaplain Azar developed there was a project to educate the commanders, directors and other senior leadership on Islam’s religious dynamics. “The purpose was to help the war fighter know more about the Islam people,” Chaplain Azar said. “It helped to develop a more spiritual mind. It made them a little more sensitive to the religion and the culture.” In conjunction with the Islamic religious briefing, Chaplain Azar also developed a series of briefs called the “Seven Stans,” which covers the religious backgrounds of the seven different countries ending in “stan.” “It showed how religion guides these people during both war and peace,” Chaplain Azar said. “We tried to help unpack the meaning of some of the symbols and the different dimensions of these people’s lives. “Those countries are theocracies, which are when religion guides the country” he said. “We are a democracy where the people decide, but over there, the country is religiously driven.” Another program Chaplain Azar participated in was the preparation of chaplain servicemembers for combat prior to deploying. While a chaplain or chaplain’s assistant is deployed, their duties include worship services, bible studies, counseling and visitations, Chaplain Azar said. “They pray with the crewmembers before they get on their aircraft and also when they come back,” he said. “Our (Airmen) did some very hair-raising things out there and wanted to talk about it. The chaplain had the confidentiality to enable them to do this.” Combat readiness training also includes helping those left behind when an Airmen deploys said Chaplain Azar. The chaplains played a role in the deployed spouses’ program, youth activities and other family-oriented programs. “It’s a series of programs to keep people connected to their spouse,” Chaplain Azar said. “Connection, to me, is an important thing, whether it’s a parent, girlfriend or spouse.” The award also cited Chaplain Azar’s work in Air Force suicide prevention programs. “We have had several people go through (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) and actually use what they learned,” he said. “We have people make-believe they are going to commit suicide and then someone in the class tries to stop them. We have them look a person in the eyes and ask them, ‘Are you thinking about committing suicide?’ It’s a real challenge.”