Posted on 10/22/2006 7:50:40 PM PDT by World_Events
WEST POINT, N.Y. (AP) _ Muslims at the U.S. Military Academy numbered just two in 2001. This year, there are 32.
Now West Point has opened its first space dedicated to Muslims, a worship hall complete with a pulpit facing Mecca. The space officially opened Thursday.
"I knew the Army had a policy of religious tolerance, but I didn't know it was to this extent," said first-year Cadet Ahmed Moomin, 20, from the Maldives.
Until now, Friday prayers were held in an increasingly crowded first-floor office, said Imam Asadullah, the academy's Muslim cleric. The number of Muslim cadets jumped by 10 from last year.
The new hall is large enough for dozens of followers, he said.
West Point's Muslim leaders approached administrators last year for help.
"We live in a world where everyone is looking at the United States saying, 'You're anti-Islam.' But here at West Point, that's not what we do," West Point Chaplain Col. John Cook said.
(Excerpt) Read more at newsday.com ...
No! He's a mooselime as well.. see the Sunday Morning talk show thread.. there are so many links to Osama Obama's made up history, it will make your body hair stand on end!
05C.20 here ... dah di di dah .. dah di dah
I disagree with post #54. You are flat out wrong.
Wake up and smell the caca.
Why not 32 W"P cadets? One of only 100 Senators is Muslim. Don't forget, he has the power to appt. at least 1 or 2 cadets per year. Is that scarey or what?
that in times like these the Dems wold make a hero out of Obama.
vaudine
We don't have the means at hand AT THIS TIME.
However, I believe large numbers of muslims trained by the cream of the American military is not a good idea.
I also think we're taking a big risk by training and equipping the Iraqis, for that matter.
Somehow the idea of enhancing the military prowess of a group that includes large numbers of people who want us dead, converted, or paying the jizya doesn't give me the warm and fuzzies.
They've really got you scared don't they? They don't scare me. As a very devout Christian, I know they are doomed to failure. As a 21 year veteran of our Armed Forces, I know we will not be defeated by something as flawed as the Muslim religion. As I've previously stated, I've served with Muslims for years, starting with my days at the Naval Academy. I don't agree with their religion...but I don't find much I agree with in atheists or Buddhists, and I've served with plenty of them too. That folks on this thread are so out of touch that they don't even realize we've had Muslims in our military since the days of sail is a little surprising...but only a little.
I've taken an oath to serve and protect the Constitution. I still do. So do the leaders at West Point. If the citizens of this country don't like the laws, change them. But don't knock West Point for enforcing the Constitution upon which this country is based. Not one single person on this thread has provided a legal justification for West Point to exclude Muslims. Considering some of the rants I've read on this thread, that is pretty damn pathetic.
"Start with our Constitution and find a law that the United States Army can use to exclude U.S. citizens who practice Islam from attending the Military Academy."
Start with the Constitution and show me some law that states anyone has a "right" to attend West Point. Nazi's are not welcome nor are other assorted idealogical wackos. In fact, announcing you are a homosexual will slam the door in your face. The vast majority of those who apply are not admitted.
You don't get greater rights than other citizens because you are Muslim. If you are a security risk because of your beliefs it would be crazy for our country to provide you with advanced military training.
Hmmm ... speakin' of which ... I wonder what states these Muslims come from?
Are you suggesting West Point ignore the law? Where does that lead?
International Program @ USMA per their site - http://admissions.usma.edu/MoreInfo/international.cfm
see post 99.
could west point use membership in Hamas, as a basis to exclude a cadet from admission, all other criteria being met? yes or no.
Oh, I get it! You are Lindsay Graham JAG type Mudslime wannabe!
Finally... a rational post on this thread. Thank You.
Another example of the gains of Islam since 9/11.
If you've studied any military history at all you know that this is a piss poor analogy.
Those decorated Japanese/American troops fought against Germans, not other Japanese. These future officers may be called upon to fight their co-religionists. I'm glad that you feel that they can be trusted to do the right thing, nevermind that whole taqiyya thing...
That's a relief. If anything could be learned from 9/11 it should be that we need a disproportionate amount of muslims at our military academies.
That's totally scary... IMO... there's no valid reason to trust muzzies with those big stuff.. I hope the generals will be kept aware of that.
exactly right.
perhaps we can't use a purely religious exclusion - but there are other criteria that are not constitutionally protected, which membership in that religion raises questions about.
Rokke wants them admitted - OK, I want the FBI to check them out as if they were giving them top secret security clearance. I want to know who they talk to on the phone too.
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