The metaphysical shop Dublin Rocks & Minerals came out of owner Abdul Qadir's experience in the mountains of Afghanistan.

Qadir, 38, currently of Dublin and a native of Afghanistan, is a former combat interpreter for U.S. Armed Forces. He started his military career because of his father, who was a general in the Afghan army and a judge, and decided against going to university to pursue law because he saw a need for linguistic personnel to help between the U.S. and Afghan armies.

In 2006, he worked with the U.S. Army and Marines as a linguistic cultural advisor and interpreter. After six years of service, Qadir was granted a U.S. special immigrant visa in 2012 and moved to the U.S. He worked for a veteran-owned insurance broker and provider in North Carolina before moving to Ohio and opening Dublin Rocks & Minerals with friend and business partner Jamil Seddiqi in early 2021.

Qadir said his interest in rocks and the like is also family-related. His brother-in-law has been in the metaphysical industry for 25 years and serves as Dublin Rocks' sourcing provider. But his interest also grew out of seeing the colorful rocks in Afghanistan's mountains.

"It came to my mind from (a) moment when I was working with the U.S. Army and I was walking all around those mountains during our operations," he said. "It was one of my dreams that sometime I should have the opportunity to have these crystals, minerals and rocks."

Dublin Rocks sells minerals, natural crystals and handcrafted jewelry from different parts of the world, made with semi-precious stones like turquoise, emeralds, rubies and sapphires.

"They're all handcrafted," Qadir said. "We do have also natural minerals specimens, rocks, crystals ... more than a couple hundred varieties of crystals.

"And every day we're trying to bring any crystals — precious, semi-precious — (that) is available anywhere in the world," he said. "We are sourcing all across from the world, but mostly from Africa, South Asia, especially Afghanistan."

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The shop has more than 200 varieties of palm stones, towers, slabs and more. The retail store also offers Reiki and soul healing sessions — energy healing techniques that are said to promote relaxation and reduce stress and anxiety through touch — led by a certified Reiki practitioner. The store itself also plays soothing music and encourages customers to touch the rocks on display.

Qadir and Seddiqi said the crystals for sale can help withmental conditions such as anxiety, depression and insomnia, or physical conditions like digestive problems. They encourage customers — and especially veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder — to come and sit.

"That makes us feel good about the space," Seddiqi said.

Qadir said he enjoys living and working in Dublin, and connecting with customers.

"I love rocks. It's a good job that's not only (about) making money," he said. "I see when people buy these crystals and rocks for metaphysical purposes for their properties, they love it. When they get something, they feel calm and happy the next day. The feedback I get from them, that gives me more everyday courage to go into this business."

tmoorman@dispatch.com

@TaijuanNichole

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Military interpreter owns Dublin shop featuring rocks, crystals