I am a muslim soldier in US Army

Submitted by 'Al Amreeke' (United States), Dec 24, 2006 at 16:42

I'm in the Army, and have been a Muslim for 13 years. I am 100% American and come from a military family. There is nothing to describe what its like to serve as a Muslim for your country. Being American I have to hide it from every Muslim in my community. My Muslim x-wife doesn't know. My wife did not even know for years!

Yes I'm not kidding; most people have no Idea the unbalanced and ignorant hatred that exist in our country from Muslims and non-Muslims. I would… no, my very decendants as well as my last name would become synonymous with traitor if I was found out. On the other hand non-Muslims (like my neighbors) see my house as Muslim and not American. To thisday they treat us like we must have home made bombs in our garage and it's only a matter of time before we're exposed. They complain about anything and some times half wave in a confused stupor when they see me dashing out of the car into my house with my uniform on. It is truly an unusual existence.

I am not Arab (which would make it swallow better I'm sure) so there is conflict on all sides. On the other hand only a handful of people in my Unit know I'm Muslim. Only a handful of non-Muslims know I'm military. You should hear them both. You want to know how Abu Graib happened? Join todays military! Hatred for the "Hajji's" as, we are fondly called, is everywhere. I have been in rooms where Officers were present and nothing is said when Arabs (as a people), Islam (as a religion) or Muslims (as a community) were utterly lambasted by a bunch of ignorant hicks wearing the uniform. It's funny what people will say when they don't know who's listening.

On the other hand if you wander about the intelligence agency's in America.

I have been in Masjid after Masjid in Major cities (pre 9/11) where America… no Americans, and all in between ... were cursed to Hell!! With no distinction between innocent and combatant, man or even pet, kill them all ramp and rages that was known to last for hours!! And the kicker is EVERYONE, and I mean including the janitor, was convinced that the FBI was surely listening in. The biggest revelation after 9/11 for the Muslims in America that you heard over in over was "man you mean to tell me they didn't know?" Yea, scary, I know.

That's why I serve in the military, because at the end of the day we all are a heck of a lot more ignorant than any of us are comfortable to believe. Yes it is Hell to serve my country in which I love, as a Muslim, and where my family has lived in before the British came here. Yes, it is Hell to serve my Muslim community as a soldier whom some people are obviously pro-terrorist and yet they are allowed to spread propaganda almost unabated for years in the Masjid to common non-violent average Joe's (or Abu's). If I die in Iraq or anywhere for my country, there will be a small funeral and no awards, no recognition for any of it on either side. But I signed up to serve for true Islam and in defense of our true Republic; therein I will lay still and content.

Soldier W.

Military Intelligence Interrogator

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