2. THANK YOU! SHUKRAN
A Look at 4-H in IraqâŠgrowing a
program!
Overview of Iraq Culture
Doâs & Donâts
Summary
3. 4-H IN IRAQ
Founded 2009 â
USDA Worker
Mary Kerstetter, a
former 4-Hâer and
volunteer from
Pennsylvannia
Mary Kerstetter (left), sits next to an Iraqi government
official, Salam Singer, at the countryâs first National 4-H
Conference held in Baghdad in May.
4. 4-H IN IRAQ
It started with sheepâŠ2 clubs and grew with boys, girls and
adult volunteers from many careers.
Our own former Hardee County Ag Agent and County
Director
Lockie Gary assisted Mary with training when he was
working in Iraq for 6 months.
Lockie got former State 4-H Leader Dr. Marilyn Norman to
support the new program with 4-H materials and
supplies.
December 2010 â 25 4-H Clubs; Iraqi 4-H website established
May 2011 â1st National 4-H Conference was held in Baghdad
50 4-Hâers attended with official delegates
Official 4-H Iraq 4-H Flag presented and
4-H clover
Currently, 42 4-H Clubs with 1,100 members ( boys & girls)
6. IRAQ CULTURE
Several ETHNIC GROUPS â 2 Largest
are:
âą Arabs ( 18.5 million)
âąKurds (5 million)
Know that Iraqis practice the Islam religion.
It's based on 5 pillarsâ
1. faith,
2. prayers,
3. alms and charity,
4. fasting and
5. pilgrimage to Mecca.
The Koran is their holy book and they
worship in a Mosque.
Iraqi women usually wear a head
scarf, even if they're dressed in Western
clothing. It's a show of respect.
7. IRAQ CULTURE
Greeting our guests:
Be polite and shake the male hand neither too firm or meekly
Wait for females to extend a hand to you and then lightly shake their
hand.
Address our guests by Mr. or Mrs. with their family name.
Extend your RIGHT hand only â left hand is taboo.
Respect and Trust:
Socialize first with beverages before jumping into business
Iraq men do not share the same concept as Americans on âpersonal
spaceâ â it is disrespectful to step back from an Iraq male.
Iraq women are the exception, you should not stand close, touch or
stare at the women.
Do not let your sole of your shoe be seen when you sitâ it is very
insulting.
8. IRAQ CULTURE
Gestures:
Right hand over heart
Right hand, palm up, finger tips touching
Quick upward head snap with tongue click
Gesture with full hand NEVER one finger
Not acceptable: thumbs up, OK â not the same meaning as in USA
Talking with guests:
Arabic is their main language
Always speak TO the guest
â speak slowly, use simple words, and stop after each point
or question, so the translator can translate.
Do NOT speak louder
Smiling is international â so do much of that!
Have a small notebook with a pencil handy:
drawings also help
9. IRAQ CULTURE
Understanding Iraqi Names:
Women do not take their husbandâs name
Parents add a title before their name by taking the name of their 1st son
When including their family heritage in their name:
Women add :bint â meaning daughter of
Men add: ibn or bin â meaning son of
Adults have
Title First Name Birthplace or From the
Occupation Family
Abu Yusuf Muhammed Al-Tikriti Al-Sayf
Father of Yusuf his name birthplace family name
Umm Yusuf Rahil bint Hassan ibn Ibrahim Al-Saddaf
Mother of Yusuf her name family heritage family name
10. IRAQ CULTURE
Agriculture:
Livestock Estimates:
Cattle- 2.5 million
Buffalo- 285 thousand
Sheep- 7 million
Goats- 1.5 million
11. IRAQ CULTURE
Wheat and barley are most important agricultural crops.
Sheep and goats are tended by nomadic and semi-nomadic groups.
Cattle production is mainly dairy at the household production level.
Milk processing is hampered by electricity shortages and security
concerns.
12. DOâS & DONâTS
DO⊠DO NOTâŠ..
relax and smile â they are also talk about the war, religion or
hesitant about you! politics
wear a 4-H shirt; long pants point with one finger
address guests as Mr. or Mrs. use your left hand in giving or
with greeting
their family name Praise their possessions too much
If possible, greet them in their or they will give you and expect a gift
language; learn some key words in return
like Offer pork meet or alcohol
HelloâŠmarrhaba Expose the soles of your feet
Thank You..shukran
GoodbyeâŠmaa as-salama
YesâŠee
NoâŠia
Food â ak-il
Water â may
13. SUMMARY
Florida 4-H is one of 3 states
supporting the Iraq 4-H program as
they need.
In October, each university of these
3 states will send a trainer to
Erbil, Iraq for 7 days to teach 4-H
staff and leaders more topics on 4-
H.
Great opportunities to cultural
learning through 4-H Pen Pal Clubs
exist for our Florida 4-H program.
Together with our guests we share
the same mission in any language:
âTo Make the Best Betterâ through
Head - Heart â Hands and Health
14. http://cryptome.org/iraq-culture.htm
âIraq Culture Smart Cardâ developed by Marine Corps Intelligence Activity
Kerstetter, M. â4-H Program in Iraq Ensures a Brighter Future for Its Childrenâ USDA.
Foreign Agricultural Service. 2010.
Kerstetter, M. âUSDA Employee Founds 4-H in Iraq, Brings Hope to Iraqi Youthâ USDA
Blog July 2011.
Knitter, Pfc. Emily. âHead, Hearts, Hands and Health â 4-H Clubs in Iraqâ Americaâs North
Shore Journal. August 2010.
Slide Program developed by
Georgene Bender, Regional Specialized Agent 4-H,
University of Florida / IFAS 4-H Youth Development
July 2011
RESOURCES USED
Editor's Notes
Mary Kerstetter (left), sits next to an Iraqi government official, Salam Singer, at the countryâs first National 4-H Conference held in Baghdad in May. Kerstetter recently returned to the United States after more than two years as an agricultural advisor for USDAâs Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) in Iraq, where she was instrumental in establishing 4-H clubs across the country. Photo courtesy of Mary Kerstetter. In March 2010, the program began a vast expansion when Kerstetter volunteered to stay in Iraq for another year. With her extension, she was reassigned to a new post in MahmudiyahQada in South Baghdad. There, she continued to volunteer as 4-H organizer. With the help of U.S. and Iraqi government officials and local volunteers, Kerstetter established two additional 4-H clubs near Baghdad and took the steps to form a national 4-H organization, which is locally known as the Iraqi National Center for Youth Clubs 4-H, so the program could expand country-wide.Kerstetterâs efforts paid off. By December 2010, 25 4-H clubs were established in Iraq and they established an official Iraqi 4-H website to help easily educate and share information across the country.In May 2011, Kerstetter helped organize the first National 4-H Conference, a meeting of 4-H club leaders from all around Iraq at the al Saldeer Palace in Baghdad. More than 50 participants attended, including 4-H officials, U.S. and Iraqi government officials and guest speakers from local colleges and universities. During the meeting, the official Iraqi 4-H flag, which includes the signature 4-H clover and the colors of the Iraqi flag, was unveiled.Before Kerstetter left Iraq, 42 4-H clubs had been established with more than 1,100 members.
You have the opportunity to assist the youth of Iraq to enjoy 4-H.
Gestures: Right hand over heart: sing of respect or thanks Right hand, palm up, finger tips touching: slow down or be patient Quick upward head snap with tongue click: means NO Gesture with full hand NEVER one finger â consider rude Not acceptable: thumbs up, OK â not the same meaning as in USATalking with guests:Arabic is their main language, and the group will have 3 translatorsAlways speak TO the guest, avoid talking to the translator â speak slowly, use simple words, and stop after each point or question, so the translator can translate.Do NOT speak louder â it doesnât help, but we all have that natural tendencySmiling is international â so do much of that!Have a small notebook with a pencil handy: drawings also help
Major agricultural products are cereals, including wheat and barley. Iraq is also a producer of dates, sheep and goat meat, chicken meat, and milk. Most agricultural activity is concentrated in the fertile lowlands in the Mesopotamian plains irrigated from the Tigris and the Euphrates. The Kurdish areas in the north, which have received minimal attention due to the conflict between the central government and the Kurds, remain underdeveloped and mostly dependent on rainwater. Agricultural production in Kurdish areas has improved under the UN sanctions regime, due to the distribution of fertilizers and spare parts by international agencies in those areas. User Contributions:Read more: Iraq Agriculture, Information about Agriculture in Iraqhttp://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/economies/Asia-and-the-Pacific/Iraq-AGRICULTURE.html#ixzz1SQ7tmeLH