| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | |
| DATE: | September 6, 2007 |
| CONTACT: | Marshall Collins 361.825.2427; or Steve Paschal 361.825.2336 |
| Navy Crew to Receive Cultural Awareness Training from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Professor Prior to Deployment | |
**********************PHOTO/MEDIA OPPORTUNITY*******************
| WHO: | Professor Moustafa H. Abdelsamad and the 82-member crew of the Mine Countermeasures Crew REAPER from Naval Station-Ingleside |
| WHAT: | Arab Cultural Awareness Training |
| WHEN: | Friday, Sept. 7 at 1 p.m. |
| WHERE: | Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, Bay Hall Room 103 |
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – The 82 Officers and Sailors of the Mine Countermeasures Crew REAPER from Naval Station-Ingleside will receive Arab cultural awareness training from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Professor Moustafa H. Abdelsamad Friday, Sept. 7 at 1 p.m. in Bay Hall, Room 103.
Dr. Abdelsamad, a native of Egypt, will teach the Sailors simple phrases that will help them communicate with Arabic-speaking people. He’ll also address cultural questions including:
What is Ramadan and what other special Muslim holidays are celebrated in the Middle East?
What is the difference between Sunni and Shiite?
How do Muslims view Christians?
Do Arab Muslims hate the West?
Why do Muslims pray five times a day, no more or less?
What is a tribe and is there a Western equivalent?
How can American military personnel best represent themselves as ambassadors for the United States?