Muslim G.I. says he won't go

New York Daily News ^ | 2/16/03 | MAGGIE HABERMAN

[kattracks]

Ghanim Khalil doesn't want to break the law, but says he may be forced to.

The 26-year-old Army National Guard reservist said yesterday that if he's called up to help fight Iraq in the coming weeks, he'll refuse to go.

"If I'm asked to go to the Middle East, I will not," Khalil, of Staten Island, said at a news conference yesterday before he headed over to the anti-war rally near the United Nations.

"I believe if this war occurs, it is a violation of human rights," added Khalil, a Muslim with Pakistani roots.

Khalil, a supply specialist, said he has been given no date for when his unit at the Marcy Ave. Armory in Brooklyn might be called up.

"I've been told that it's only a matter of time," he said.

Khalil sat with members of the advocacy group Citizen Soldier, some of whom are veterans of past wars who are opposed to another Iraqi conflict.

Khalil, who spent four years on active duty with the Marines, said some of his opposition stems from his religious beliefs.

"As a Muslim, I have objections" to the war, he said.

But he called his protests universal, saying people of all faiths have spoken out against Persian Gulf War II.

Khalil said he realized he could go to jail if he refuses to follow orders ? but that he's within his legal rights to speak out against the war.

National Guard spokesman Col. Dan Stoneking wouldn't comment on Khalil specifically, saying, "All Americans have First Amendment rights," but that reservists who won't serve would be sanctioned.

[Cvengr]

"...nor was his Islamic dietary needs met...."

e.g. instead of my Muslim holiday diet of pummelgranites and field mice, they insisted upon feeding me Filet Minon and Lobster...

[Thunder 6]

I didn't see the guy on TV, but I hope he wasn't making these statements while wearing the uniform.
Let me get this strait: His unit hasn't been called up, he doesn't know IF it is going to be called up, but he decided to have a press conference to speculate on something that may not happen? Geez, anyone who has ever worn a uniform has objections to war...that is not the point. His presupposed inability to live up to his oath us.
Amazing world where guys like this get national exposure, while the other guys in his unit who are decent honest soldiers are ignored.

[Cvengr]

Circumstantial evidence tends to favor the criticism of Islam,...the religion of peace which toppled the Twin Towers.

Perhaps you might offer evidence to the contrary if you sicerely believe American Muslims don't reap the benefits of freedom here in America while fighting to eliminate freedom in their homelands and here as well.

If not, I'm sure the others here you have accused would appreciate your apology.

[leadpenny]

Guess he'll get a chance to serve in Leavenworth.

He better get a chance to make small rocks out of big rocks when he refuses shipment orders.

[M Kehoe]

I can only think of three words to tell Mr. Khalil:

"Leavenworth," and "Buh bye."

5.56mm

[Morrigan]

While I agree Christian nations have murdered many, I do want to say that is really in the past, and has been for quite a long time. Muslims are conducting that kind of behavior NOW, which is the problem. Maybe a better thing for the country would not be to bring it back to the "roots" of a religion, but the roots of common sense. Common sense seems to be what this nation is missing the most.

Besides that, this tale doesn't surprise me, and it won't be the last one. I'll guarantee you that. Muslims are Muslims first and also Muslims last. The American ones are alright until you ask them to do something they perceive to be "against" Islam, such as going to war against other Muslims. They won't do it. I bet hardly any of the Muslim military personnel will wind up going. And the ones that do are going to be reviled as "false" Muslims, apostates. That is punishable by death in Islam, and murder for apostasy happens quite frequently in the Middle East.

In short, we all have to realize that no matter how nice your Muslim neighbor is, you simply can't trust 'em. I feel sorry for our men and women in Iraq that have to have these snakes guard their backs.

[Cvengr]

The "roots of morality" are not the same in the Bible (Scipture) as understood by 'Christianity' and Islam.

Islam came about some 6 centuries after Christianity and discerns itself from Christianity by the very essence of Chritianity which distinguishes it from 'religion'. Scripture reads to the relationship with God based upon His terms, not upon man's terms.

Islam has rejected this course and instead chooses a direct path to God independent of God's will. All morality resultant from that ethic reduces to a man-created morality rather than Divine Will.

We might also compare bloodshed committed by a policeman stopping a crime to that of an unfound mass murderer. Simply observing the material byproduct of each position in limited perspective could yield the conclusion that both acted with results of heinous bloodshed. The resultant consequences of the latter imply an unabated continued unjust tirade of criminal violence, while the former limits the violence to finite consequence and a stable society.

Comparing bloodshed by nations devoted to Christianity or to Islam is similar in that Christianity recognizes the value of life in all man and entails defense, possibly an aggressive offense if less costly, to ensure al mankind doesn't kill off one another. Islam on the contrary, will insist that only Muslims will be allowed to live on this planet when taken to its rational conclusion. Considering it refuses to acknowledge God's will on His terms, Islam is a religion of unstable failure.

[A2J]

"As a Muslim, I have objections" to the war, he said.

And I'm sure that you had no objection to what happened on September 11, 2001, right?

He should be court-martialed and put in prison for a long time.

[A2J]

Why in the world did this guy join the Army Reserves in the first place?

Let me spell it out for you:

M-O-N-E-Y

It may not be much, but it is still a way to steal from the U.S. government as well as a resume builder.

[Centurion2000]

Khalil says his experience included daily confrontations with Marines of various ranks who would dismiss his beliefs as “backwards and extreme.” Like Davidson, Khalil also served as a lay reader. And though he did receive some religious accommodation, he says he was not allowed to perform his daily prayers during work hours, nor was his Islamic dietary needs met. He also did not always get time off for Eid.

Wahhhh ... you think that Christian Marines always got time off for Christmas ? Tell this traitor to STFU and soldier or to get out. The Commandant needs to make an example of this POS.

[freebilly]

I wonder when we'll hear some local Muslim orgs such as CAIR decry such treason!!!

Never, and that's the difference between the Muslim world and Judeo-Christian world. We are free to protest the actions of others. We're free to protest the war and free to protest the war protests. The Muslim world has only the duty to protest the action of others. It does not have the freedom to examine itself and express any self criticism (e.g., Salman Rushdie, anyone?).

Christ came to transform the religion corrupted by Pharisees into one of goodness, love, and service. For those efforts he was crucified. The Muslim world has had no such Messiah. We can only hope that a modern day Luther will appear for the Muslim world and help free it from the mental shackles it has imposed on itself....

[dljordan]

They'll treat him with kid gloves just like they do the women.

[RWG]

Then that supports the validity of a firing squad for treason.

[GirlShortstop]

"If I'm asked to go . . . "         You won't be asked to go, Khalil.

Good answer!!

[snippy_about_it]

Ask-Imam.com > Money Matters > Question 7229 from United States

I recently got admitted into medical school and I am looking to finance it. Is the army an option?

Assalamualaikum, I have been accepted to medical school and I am looking for ways to finance it. The United States army has a program where they pay for medical school expenses but you have to serve the number of years you take their money by serving at an army hospital. For example, if you go to medical school for 4 years and the army pays for everything for 4 years, you have to serve in the army for 4 years. Is it acceptable to accept their money because I will be avoiding riba in the future as the medical school loans build up. There are no alternative means through which I am able to finance medical school and the debt is usually around $150 to $200,000. Also, with the army, I will not be in active duty, meaning I will not have to go to war with the soldiers and be a medic on the battle field. i will only be serving in one of the army hospitals and all of them are in the US except for one which is in Germany.

Answer 7229

2002-11-23

  

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Since you will not be in active duty but merely serving in a military hospital, you may go for this option.

and Allah Ta'ala Knows Best

Mufti Muhammad Kadwa
FATWA DEPT.

[snippy_about_it]

Ask-Imam.com > Miscellaneous > Question 3833 from United States

Is it permissible (halal) to lie to an army of the kuffar in order to get out of it?

As salaamu 'alaykum. A brother joined the U.S. Military and alhamdulillah later became Muslim. In order for him to get out of the military before his contract is up, he may have to say a few things which go against Islam such as saying that he is against all forms of war (jihad with hands included). Is it halal for him to lie to the kuffar out of necessity to get out of their military? And to what extant can he go to in his lies to them? Jazakallahu khair.

Answer 3833

2001-09-24

  

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Allah Ta'ala says, 'And do not assist in sin.' (Maaidah)

Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) said, Help the oppressor by
stopping him from the oppression.'

In view of the aforegoing, it is not permissible for a Muslim to serve in
any military - Muslim or non-Muslim - that oppresses people. In today's
political and military world, there is no difference between a Muslim and
non-Muslim military. Both are known for committing injustice and oppression.
Therefore, if one is committed to an army, he may use any suitable means to
come out of that.

and Allah Ta'ala Knows Best

Mufti Ebrahim Desai
FATWA DEPT.

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[snippy_about_it]

Ask-Imam.com > Islamic Politics > Question 6852 from United States

Can I join the United States Army?

Please tell me.

Answer 6852

2002-10-04

  

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It is not permissible to join the United State’s Army.

and Allah Ta'ala Knows Best

Mufti Ebrahim Desai

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[Righty1]

10 years in Leavenworth Military Prison should do it. He should also have to refund his previous pay with interest.

[AEMILIUS PAULUS]

STATEMENT:"Muslim G.I. says he won't go"

PROPER RESPONSE: A headline reading " Military hangs Muslim GI that won't go." Sigh! However, that would take strength.

[snippy_about_it]

One more and the imam didn't even understand the question, but you get the point of both the questioner and imam.

Ask-Imam.com > Society and Culture > Question 2566 from United States

Is there anything unislamic about being a part of the United States military.

I am in the United States Marine Corps and many Muslim brothers try and put me down by questioning who's side am I on because the US is known for causing conflict in Muslim countries. Those are not my intentions of course. I would like to know the Islamic view on this.

Answer 2566

2001-03-31

  

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By joining the police force of a Kuffaar state, you will be actively assisting them in enforcing many injust laws.

It is thus, not permissible for a Muslim to serve in the police force of England.

and Allah Ta'ala Knows Best

Mufti Ebrahim Desai
FATWA DEPT.

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