West Point opens Islamic worship space as Muslim cadets increase

Newsday.com ^ | 10/22/06 | Newsday.com

[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.

[Prokopton]

"However, I am getting tired of the constant Muslim bashing at FR. While Muslims at this time are much more likely to be a terrorist or terrorist supporter than any other religion, the vast majority are not."

Islam's holy book and the words of it's founder directly threaten me and my Country. If a Muslim would disavow the Koran and the teachings of Mohamed they would no longer be my enemy nor a threat to me but, of course, they would also no longer be Muslim.

[oceanview]

how do you know who they are, unless a background check is done on them?

[Rokke]

"I agree with the contention that its a bad idea to admit muslims (be they of Arab, European, or whatever, ancestry) into West Point."

I appreciate your contention, but unfortunately, that is not legal justification for the United States Military Academy to ignore the United States Constitution. And that is the point I've been making all along. You aren't going to get me to justify Islam. I won't. But I will defend our military and its adherence to defending the Constitution it is sworn to defend.

[philetus]

One might be led to think that if international law enforcement authorities and Western intelligence agencies had discovered a twenty-year old document revealing a top-secret plan developed by the oldest Islamist organization with one of the most extensive terror networks in the world to launch a program of “cultural invasion” and eventual conquest of the West that virtually mirrors the tactics used by Islamists for more than two decades, that such news would scream from headlines published on the front pages and above the fold of the New York Times, Washington Post, London Times, Le Monde, Bild, and La Repubblica.

If that’s what you might think, you would be wrong.

http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/Printable.asp?ID=22415

[Lumper20]

I agree.

[eleni121]

It would be illegal for West Point to systematically turn down Muslim cadets just because of their religion.

---

No it would not. Muslims will put the moon god and the koranic commands above their allegiance to the US constitution and their officers. This is very dangerous precedent. It is equal to allowing Soviet Communist sons and daughters into west point during the height of the Cold War.

Do you honestly imagine that US Muslim officers would defend Israel against muslim attack if that came to be? or would attack and kill Muslims on the battlefield? If you do, then you do not know anything about them.


This is insane. This policy must change.

[Rokke]

"that friendship occurs AFTER we have used war to defeat the radical elements in their societies"

Than your WWII model does NOT fit because we allowed Germans and Japanese to serve in our military BEFORE we defeated the radical elements in their societies.

"tell me how we can screen these west point entrants to determine if they are not radicals?"

Ever have a security clearance background investigation?

" I want detailed FBI background checks on each and every one of them before that happens. I want the NSA tapping their phones. can we do that?"

You and I both know we are already doing that.

[Caesar Soze]

For years, FR has hosted complaints that moderate Muslims are not doing enough to counter the threat of extremism from their co-religionists. Yet here is an article indicating that the number of Muslims appointed to USMA has been increasing. They have matriculated into one of our best schools where they'll undergo four years of rigorous academics, probably in engineering. At the same time, they're undergoing some of our best moral, tactical, and leadership training. They'll get security clearances, with a single scope investigation, before commissioning. On top of that, they've committed to an eight year service obligation, of which they'll probably spend at least one year overseas killing some of extremist co-religionists.

So USMA builds these guys a couple of rooms so they can pray, and suddenly it's the end of the world. The Army Officer Corps has been overrun by Al Qaeda. The sky is falling. Game over, man.

If these guys really wanted to Akbar some company grade officer out in the desert, they're going about it the stupid way. They could've just enlisted 11X; they'd have weapons and be downrange with hajji in a year. The fact they're getting into the Army the long, hard way is sort of a clue that they're not interested in killing Americans.

I apologize if I went out on a rant; these guys are cadidiots, which are even lower than the lowest ossifer, and someone needs to stick up for them.

[Fishrrman]

Oceanview wrote:
Imagine this same approach applied to the Japanese after Pearl Harbor

And Rokke replied:
It was. Japanese fought with distinction in the US military after Pearl Harbor

There is something VERY important that you left out, though, Rokke.

The Japanese who were enlisted to fight for the United States in World War II were sent to the _European_ theather. They DID NOT fight other Japanese.

And, having said that, I postulate:
When the time comes - and it will - can we expect Islamic officers of our own forces to lead their troops against other Islamics?

Well, perhaps. But speaking for myself, I would not trust them in such a command.

I'm sure you would, right?

- John

[Rokke]

"You don't get greater rights than other citizens because you are Muslim."

Bingo. And they aren't. They aren't getting any less either. They are, after all, American citizens.

[right way right]

Thats it, we have lost this war!

[LasVegasMac]

As a 21 year veteran of our Armed Forces, I know we will not be defeated by something as flawed as the Muslim religion.

Congrats, you beat my by ONE year.

Thanks for the service, and all that....but the fact that what you think "you know" does not mean squat.

Get me?

The Skipper of the USS Cole also knew it was just another port call.

The soldiers in Somalia knew they were doing a job for this country.

And the innocent civilians in the the World Trade Center towers knew they were just going to another day at work.

I don't agree with their religion...but I don't find much I agree with in atheists or Buddhists,

I do!

Let me play Captain Obvious here.

I guess I need to point out to you that the neither the atheists nor Buddhiests have flown fully loaded jet liners into occupied office towers - like the World Trade Centers.

Notice the "S" - two of them!!!!!!!!

Atheists and Buddhiests DO NOT KILL PEOPLE for lack of belief in their faith.

You, sir, don't know.....squat....about beans.

[kellynla]

"why don't you provide the legal justification West Point can use to exclude Muslims."

"legal justification?"


"be a U.S. citizen at time of enrollment (exception: foreign students nominated by agreement between U.S. and another country)."

And since you attended a military academy, you of all people should know that there is no legal requirement for acceptance of foreigners! helloooo?

And even if an American, enrollment is a privilege not a right.

[FreedomFighter78]

"And even if an American, enrollment is a privilege not a right."

Yes, and these young men and women have earned the privilege of attending West Point based on their stellar credentials.

[FreedomFighter78]

How am I "flat out wrong," and how can I be expected to believe that I am "flat out wrong" when you provided absolutely no evidence, just your assertion?

[Rokke]

"could west point use membership in Hamas, as a basis to exclude a cadet from admission, all other criteria being met? yes or no."

Hamas is a recognized terrorist organization. Anyone belonging to Hamas belongs to a terrorist organization. Islam is not a recognized terrorist organization. It is a religion. A screwed up religion, but a religion nonetheless. Neither West Point, your local police department or your kid's pre-school can exclude a person for being a Muslim.

[F.J. Mitchell]

The Shari law that Islamites adhere to, makes the law of the jungle seem civilized by comparison.

You tell me just where in our Constitution,it says the tax payers of this country must provide a separate place for any Cadet to pray? What's wrong with islamites praying in the privacy of their dorm room?

[FreedomFighter78]

"Thats it, we have lost this war!"

Yes, you're right. We have lost this war because West Point now uses a couple of rooms as a worship space for some excellent cadets who happen to be Muslim.

Damn shame, letting some of the best & brightest this nation has to offer pray how they would like.

[Rokke]

"Oh, I get it! You are Lindsay Graham JAG type Mudslime wannabe!"

Sure. And you join a long list on this thread too shallow to come up with any legal justification West Point can use to exclude Muslims.

[EnochPowellWasRight]

"It would be illegal for West Point to systematically turn down Muslim cadets just because of their religion."

The practice of the Islamic religion is sedition. An honest answer to the question put to these people "have you ever been a member of an organization that seeks the violent overthrow of the United States government" would have to be "yes".