U.S. Military Considers our own Muslim Troops a Great Asset
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- JonRaymond
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The BBC reports that Muslims in the U.S. military now fear more harassment above that which they already are accustomed due to the recent shooting at Ft. Hood by a Muslim soldier.
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It is not clear exactly how many Muslims serve in the 1.4 million-strong US armed forces, as recruits are not required to state their religion.
We have a diverse armed forces, and whatever their religion our troops have a part to play, and they play it very well says Lt Col Nathan Banks Army spokesman.
According to the Pentagon, there are 3,572 Muslims in active service. However, some Muslims in the military say the real number is as high as 20,000.
The US government has made no secret of the fact that it would like to see more people from Arab and Muslim communities joining the armed forces.
More American Muslim troops on the ground in Iraq and Afghanistan has long been seen as a vital part in helping the US in its missions to win hearts and minds in those countries.
"They are a great asset to the army," Lt Col Nathan Banks, army spokesman for the Pentagon, told the BBC.
"When they do deploy they help facilitate a lot of our missions. American Muslims in the army work hand in hand with local Muslims, and we welcome that."
He said the army did not foresee heightened tensions within its ranks as a result of Fort Hood.
"This was an isolated incident. Our hearts go out to everyone affected by this, but the army will stay strong. We have a diverse armed forces, and whatever their religion our troops have a part to play, and they play it very well."
But anti-Muslim sentiment is being felt as a result of the shooting. The Arab-American Institute - which condemned the massacre - said it had received at least one threatening phone call, and expected more.
One soldier at the Texas base admitted the coming days would be tough for his Muslim colleagues.
"They've taken it hard due to the fact that it kind of puts a negative light on them and makes people distrust them," he told the BBC.
"Because everybody is going to look at them [and think]: "Well, you're probably going to pull something like this. And it's a sad fact that that will happen".
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http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8347586.stm
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It is not clear exactly how many Muslims serve in the 1.4 million-strong US armed forces, as recruits are not required to state their religion.
We have a diverse armed forces, and whatever their religion our troops have a part to play, and they play it very well says Lt Col Nathan Banks Army spokesman.
According to the Pentagon, there are 3,572 Muslims in active service. However, some Muslims in the military say the real number is as high as 20,000.
The US government has made no secret of the fact that it would like to see more people from Arab and Muslim communities joining the armed forces.
More American Muslim troops on the ground in Iraq and Afghanistan has long been seen as a vital part in helping the US in its missions to win hearts and minds in those countries.
"They are a great asset to the army," Lt Col Nathan Banks, army spokesman for the Pentagon, told the BBC.
"When they do deploy they help facilitate a lot of our missions. American Muslims in the army work hand in hand with local Muslims, and we welcome that."
He said the army did not foresee heightened tensions within its ranks as a result of Fort Hood.
"This was an isolated incident. Our hearts go out to everyone affected by this, but the army will stay strong. We have a diverse armed forces, and whatever their religion our troops have a part to play, and they play it very well."
But anti-Muslim sentiment is being felt as a result of the shooting. The Arab-American Institute - which condemned the massacre - said it had received at least one threatening phone call, and expected more.
One soldier at the Texas base admitted the coming days would be tough for his Muslim colleagues.
"They've taken it hard due to the fact that it kind of puts a negative light on them and makes people distrust them," he told the BBC.
"Because everybody is going to look at them [and think]: "Well, you're probably going to pull something like this. And it's a sad fact that that will happen".
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http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8347586.stm
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- Military, Muslims, Fort Hood, Nidal Malik Hasan, 1 more
