Serving Was Soldier's Mission - Sudan Native Killed in Iraq Did 'Good Deeds'

Washington Post ^ | January 4, 2006 | Martin Weil

[redgirlinabluestate]

Ayman Taha, a Berkeley graduate who was described as athletic, a speaker of many languages, and a friend to all who met him, had only to write his dissertation to earn his PhD, his father said.

But three years ago, Taha, a budding economist and the son of a Northern Virginia couple, Abdel-Rahman and Amal Taha, joined the Army to serve in the Special Forces. About a year ago, he was sent to Iraq.

On Friday, as Staff Sgt. Ayman Taha, 31, was preparing a cache of munitions for demolition in the town of Balad, the explosives detonated and he was killed, the Pentagon said yesterday.

It is "a very terrible thing," Abdel-Rahman Taha said. "He was a son, and a very special son."

The father added: "If you believe in God and you realize that this is God's will . . . it makes it a lot easier."

There is also consolation, the father said, in feeling that "this is something Ayman wanted to do."

A family friend, Nada Eissa, agreed. "No, he didn't have to do it," she said. "This is something he wanted to do."

Ayman Taha was born in Sudan, into an academically accomplished international family. Both parents hold doctorates. When his father worked for the World Bank, Ayman attended elementary school in McLean. He went to secondary school in England, then received a bachelor's degree from the University of California at Berkeley and a master's in economics from the University of Massachusetts, where he was working toward a PhD.

"He lived in many cultures," his father said, and spoke English, Arabic, Spanish and Portuguese. More important, his father said, were his personality and

[redgirlinabluestate]

Found this story on Laura Ingraham's website and thought it was worth posting. Quite an impressive guy....

[voiceinthewind]

Thank you for posting this. A very moving story about a patriot whose sacrifice should be appreciated by every American.

[GOP_Thug_Mom]

thank you for posting. God bless him and all of our soldiers!

[LucyJo]

Condolences and prayers for Staff Sgt. Taha's family, loved ones, and friends. This country is so blessed. How very sad to lose another one of our best and brightest, but thank God for the courage and bravery of those who know the need, take the risks, and suffer the sacrifices for the sake of liberty. May we always honor them and never take for granted the things for which they fight.

[Cleburne]

That's pretty cool- a Sudanese Muslim PhD student in economics from an academic family- not the sort of background one would expect to find!

About three years ago, Ayman Taha told his father, "Dad, I have been going to school since I was 5 years old. I want to take a break."

The father said he suggested that his son "try something in the World Bank . . . or Merrill Lynch." But one day, "out of the blue," his son told him that he had signed the papers that would take him into the Special Forces.

[Rakkasan1]

5th SFG ping

[LZ_Bayonet]

"But one day, "out of the blue," his son told him that he had signed the papers..."

The best way to do it. Totally avoided involving family members in the process of thinking it through and/or making the decision, thus sparing them possible additional anguish. Smart, and thoughtful guy.

[Mind-numbed Robot]

In addition to him being an exceptional human being there are some surprising things here. One is that such a story is in the Washington Post. Another is that he maintained his attitude despite where he attended school. An yet another is that he was one of those Muslims who ignored the radical parts of his religion and followed the reasonable ones. That is something for many freepers to ponder.

[Valin]

That is something for many freepers to ponder.


Now why would they want to do that, when it's so much easier to just put your brain on hold and be simplistic.

[Mind-numbed Robot]

Or be a bombastic Internet Rambo and demand immediate, dramatic, impractical action right now. You are right, back to snooze time. :-)

[FBD]

It is possible for a Muslim to be a decent person *in spite of* being an Islamic, not *because of* it...

That is something for other freepers, "to ponder"...
As Winston Churchill said so well, over a hundred years ago:

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"How dreadful are the curses which Mohammedanism lays on its votaries! Besides the fanatical frenzy, which is as dangerous in a man as hydrophobia in a dog, there is this fearful fatalistic apathy.

The effects are apparent in many countries. Improvident habits, slovenly systems of agriculture, sluggish methods of commerce, and insecurity of property exist wherever the followers of the Prophet rule or live. A degraded sensualism deprives this life of its grace and refinement; the next of its dignity and sanctity.

The fact that in Mohammedan law every woman must belong to some man as his absolute property -- either as a child, a wife, or a concubine -- must delay the final extinction of slavery until the faith of Islam has ceased to be a great power among men.

Individual Moslems may show splendid qualities. Thousands become the brave and loyal soldiers of the Queen; all know how to die; but the influence of the religion paralyses the social development of those who follow it.

No stronger retrograde force exists in the world. Far from being moribund, Mohammedanism is a militant and proselytizing faith.

It has already spread throughout Central Africa, raising fearless warriors at every step; and were it not that Christianity is sheltered in the strong arms of science -- the science against which it had vainly struggled -- the civilisation of modern Europe might fall, as fell the civilisation of ancient Rome."- Sir Winston Churchill

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[Mind-numbed Robot]

Excellent, as with all your quotes. Thanks.

[FBD]

thanks