Way back in 1943 the War Department of the United States, a name more apt for the Department of Defense, produced a wee booklet of guidance for troops stationed in Iraq during WWII. The advice seems of value even today; perhaps they could convert it to playing cards. Some examples:
- NEVER discuss religion or politics or women with Moslems.
- Don't stare at anyone. Remember the fear of the "evil eye".
- If you see grown men walking hand in hand, ignore it. They are not queer.*
- You can usually tell a mosque by its high tower. Keep away from mosques. [Emphasis in the original] If you try to enter one, you will be thrown out, probably with a severe beating.
- Moslems here are divided into two factions something like our division into Catholic and Protestant denominations -- so don't put in your two cents when Iraqis argue about religion.
- There are also political differences in Iraq that have puzzled diplomats and statesmen. You won't help matters any by getting mixed up in them.
- American success or failure in Iraq may well depend on whether the Iraqis (as the people are called) like American soldiers or not. It may not be quite that simple. But then again it could.
A PDF of the document is to be found here.
*Note: it is uncertain if this is meant to include male members of the Bush family or not.
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