American Imam and Chaplains Visit Mali

U.S. Military Chaplains Meet with Religious Leaders in Djenne

From October 22 – 25, 2007, three American military chaplains, including one Imam and two Christian chaplains, visited Mali to reinforce ties between the American and Malian people, based on our shared values of religious tolerance, interfaith dialogue, and acknowledgement of the important role of religion in a secular democracy. During their visit to Mali, the three American religious leaders met with military officials and religious leaders in Segou, Djenne, Mopti and Bamako.

The group included Imam Abdul-Rasheed Muhammed, Chaplain David Colwell, and Chaplain Mark Tidd. Originally from New York, Imam Muhammed is a Major in the United States Army, who is currently stationed in Germany where he ministers to American soldiers and family members of many different faiths. Born in Massachusetts, Chaplain David Colwell is a Colonel in the United States Army and is the Command Chaplain for AFRICOM. Chaplain Mark Tidd is a Captain in the United States Navy and is the Command Chaplain for EUCOM. Chaplain Tidd was born in Hawaii.