Muslims in the Military

many american muslims do see joining the military as selling out. it's a responsibility that may compromise moral beliefs and jeopardize the lives of innocent civilians in iraq.

i do think it's necessary to educate american servicemen/women about what islam is really all about, but this isn't the priority with these recruitment programs and enticing salaries. the objective here is pretty obvious.

thanks for posting this. i appreiciate that you took the time to do a piece on a sensitive subject objectively.

datamined -- assumptions really get you into trouble. Communication is just best. You just assumed that I agreed with science totally. Stop defending and start communicating. It works best that way.

I will respect all beliefs. That is my nature. The tasks come at hand when we do not have any respect for other beliefs. That causes so many unnecessary conflicts.

Learn how we are connected, not disconnected. There lies the real importance in solidarity as a friend and not an enemy.

This will not be a constructive response. I admit that outright.

We must look at why religion plays a role in these people's life. What do they cling on to that religion can give them? Why would they ever let someone ever dictate their life without even questioning it?

I'm glad to hear that the military system offers some kind of educational classes. But, does this ever solve the problem. No, it doesn't. It's the radicals that will always believe something no matter how much we believe the same thing. It isn't about their beliefs, it's about power. That's why, in my own opinion, these people would actually hate it if the whole USA turned to Muslim. They would actually hate it or just turn and find someone else to fight. It's not about the religion, it's about their use of religion to control people.

Religion has been used all over the place to control individuals. It's nothing new and will not be solved ever. The best thing to do is respect other people's beliefs and work for the better good of man.

The communication problem could be helped with Language Corps to help the the soldiers and marines going over there. We could have the best linguists work on bridging the gap between cultures.

When my USMC Sgt. son was deployed he knew only "hello" and "get out of the way".

They taught him a million things about the M-16, but nothing about the people or culture.

Since the military is an extension of government, Any overly religious person should be looked at with skepticism.

islam must have role in the miitary.just like the us. military must have a role in the world.

our armes forces were trained for snow, desert, jungle,etc...
But not for holy war, ethnic war, genocidal and suicidal
warfare.
every culture and nation deals with conflicts differently, and we need armed forces made up of individuals that are adept to a world that is made up of
not only environments but also beliefs..

Why should the U.S. military push any harder for someone of a race, ethnic or religious background? Doesn't that just make the problem worse by singling people out?

Further, how would putting more people in harms way, regardless of faith, appease anyone? I can't imagine Muslim people, especially those in our own country, want to fight any more than anyone else; why would they want to lose more of their people for our government to possibly have more political capital?

FINALLY!

When Powell endorsed Barack Obama, he raised the very important issue of Obama's religious background - and if he is a Muslim, so what? Unfortunately MSNBC did not air this part of the interview, but Powell discussed that Muslim Americans fighting in Iraq should be recognized and respected instead of neglected in the vast problem presented to the nation.

Also, I think it's interesting to learn how Arab Muslims feel about American Muslims. Betrayal? Hypocrisy? Blame? One set is holier than the other? All very important questions that should be asked.

Great work, Christof!!