# 99045. Muslim Troops Highlight Nation's Diversity

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By Linda D. Kozaryn
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON -- Qaseem Ali Uqdah and Abdullah Hamza Al-Mubarak 
share a common goal. Both former enlisted men aim to help make 
life a little easier for people in the armed forces who share 
their faith.

Uqdah, a former Marine, and Al-Mubarak, a former airman, are 
followers of Islam, a religion based on the teachings of the 
prophet Mohammed. The 1.2 billion who practice the faith 
worldwide are known as Muslims. They believe in one God, Allah, 
and abide by religious laws written in the Koran, Islam's holy 
book.

Islam is the fastest growing religion in the United States. The 
Council on American-Islamic Relations here estimates there are 
now 6 million Muslims in America compared to 2 million in the 
early 1970s. Nearly half are African-American converts. The rest 
are immigrants from such countries as India, Pakistan, and Arab 
and African nations.

Uqdah and Al-Mubarak converted to Islam and while on active duty 
often found themselves with nowhere to turn for religious 
guidance. For the most part, Muslim chaplains were unheard of in 
the armed forces. When the two service members left the enlisted 
ranks, they set out to help their religious brethren in uniform. 

Uqdah, a 21-year Marine Corps veteran, today heads the American 
Muslim Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs Council, based in 
Arlington, Va. Al-Mubarak is now an Air Force Reserve second 
lieutenant and attending the School of Islamic and Social 
Sciences in Leesburg, Va. Upon completing seminary training in 
May, he will become the Air Force's first Muslim chaplain. 

"When I started at Parris Island [Marine Corps Recruit Depot, 
S.C.] in 1975, there was no support for Muslim service members," 
Uqdah recalled. The former gunnery sergeant has worked to change 
that since he retired eight years ago. "It's been a labor of 
love. This is like Christian missionary work. We have to have 
someone focus on it. If you don't, it's going to fall short."

Since Uqdah and Al-Mubarak served in the enlisted ranks, 
military leaders have come to recognize Muslim service members' 
religious needs. Things have improved somewhat for the estimated 
4,000 Muslim service members now on active duty. Two Muslim 
chaplains serve the Army and two serve the Navy. 

Along with Al-Mubarak, two more Muslim chaplain candidates are 
in training, one for the Air Force and one for the Army. The 
first permanent Islamic mosque, the Masjid al Da'wah, opened at 
Norfolk Navy Base, Va., last November for the estimated 750 
Muslim sailors there. 

Al-Mubarak said he experienced "a certain level of anxiety and 
emptiness" not having a chaplain of the same faith. He said he 
missed having someone who could facilitate his religious needs 
and understood his religious etiquette.

In 1995, he took the initiative to find out why there were so 
few Muslim chaplains and got the ball rolling to do what he 
could to change that. Two years later, he picked up his 
commission and entered the Air Force chaplain candidate program. 
The program allows the military and the candidate to look each 
other over while the candidate's enrolled in seminary, he said.

Today, Al-Mubarak goes on active duty during seminary training 
breaks and works with chapel staffs. "In my case, whatever base 
I go to, it has been something new for everybody," he said. 
"Other chaplains have been fantastic at showing me what it takes 
to be a chaplain -- how to help airmen, how to work within an 
ecumenical environment to facilitate other faith groups without 
compromising your own."

Uqdah and Al-Mubarak recently helped senior military leaders 
recognize Muslim service members. Deputy Defense Secretary John 
J. Hamre and Vice Adm. Vern Clark, director of the Joint Staff, 
invited them and about 25 Muslim service members to the Pentagon 
Jan. 15 in honor of the month-long celebration of Ramadan.

During Ramadan, Muslims do not eat, drink or have sexual 
intercourse from sunup to sundown. After sundown, they break the 
fast during "Iftar." This was the second annual Ramadan Iftar 
hosted at the Pentagon.

Uqdah said the event is designed to remind commanders and senior 
enlisted members that they have Muslim service members within 
their ranks. 

"Often, Muslim service members have the support of the chaplain, 
but the one who truly makes a difference is that commanding 
officer," he said. "When an issue comes up with respect to 
religious accommodation, ... the chaplain will make a 
recommendation, but the commanding officer is the one who says, 
'This is what's going to happen.'" 

By recognizing Muslim service members at the Pentagon, military 
leaders send a clear signal to the field that "Muslim soldiers 
are there; take care of them," Uqdah said. 

Before dining, the Muslim troops turned toward Mecca, the Muslim 
holy city in Saudi Arabia, and chanted prayers led by Army 
Muslim Chaplain (Capt.) Mohammed Khan of the 519th Military 
Intelligence Battalion, Fort Bragg, N.C. Khan also led prayers 
during the first Iftar at the Pentagon. 

Khan, an 18-year Army veteran born in India, said he originally 
worked in preventive medicine in the Army Nurse Corps. He said 
he became the Army's second Muslim chaplain in May 1997.

"They were looking for chaplains, so I switched over," he said. 
"I was already serving the Army, educating commanders and troops 
about Islam, especially during Desert Storm. I was writing 
articles about Muslim events like Ramadan and dietary 
requirements for Muslim soldiers."

Khan said the annual Pentagon celebration of Ramadan is very 
encouraging and supportive for Muslim soldiers. "It indicates 
the integrity of the armed forces that they're committed to all 
faiths," he said. 

One guest who accompanied Khan from Fort Bragg echoed the 
chaplain's view. Army Pfc. Boukassim Khalid of C Company, 1st 
Battalion, 321st Field Artillery, said the Iftar celebration 
gave him a chance to meet some fellow Muslims and discuss 
religious issues. Originally from Morocco, Khalid said he joined 
the military two years ago to earn education benefits. "Muslim 
troops are a minority, but they are a part of the military," he 
said. 

After Muslim service members said prayers and broke their day's 
fast with water and dates, Clark expressed his appreciation for 
their contribution to the nation's defense. "I'm thankful that 
we're here where it's all right for us to have different views 
and different faiths," he said. "Diversity is part of our 
greatness."

Hamre, who also spoke at last year's event, told the group, "we 
come together as people of faith who have assumed a larger 
responsibility -- service to our country."

Hamre said the fundamental principles expressed in the 
Constitution -- liberty, justice, equality and opportunity -- 
are the same fundamental values of Muslims, Christians and Jews. 
"We are faithful to our Constitution only if we recognize the 
religious freedoms and rights of all of our soldiers, sailors, 
airmen and Marines," he said. 

Related Site of Interest:

Remarks as Delivered by Deputy Secretary of Defense John. J.Hamre at the 2nd Annual Pentagon Iftar Celebration

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