Posted on 07/27/2005 4:47:32 PM PDT by SandRat
HADITHA DAM, Iraq (July 27, 2005) -- As the Marines with 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment continue their fight in the Global War on Terrorism, most of them think of it as business and not personal.
However, for some Marines who are of the Islamic faith, the war in Iraq hits a personal note. Cpl. Mohammed N. Rahman, who is a Sunni Muslim, fights not only to free the people of Iraq from the insurgents grip and to protect his country (America), but also to redeem his beloved religion.
“This is a personal offense, not only to me but others who share my faith,” said the 23-year-old infantryman with 2nd Platoon, Company L. “The insurgents have scarred the image of my religion.”
Rahman was born in Dhaka, Bangladesh where he learned to speak Bangla, Hindi, Urdu, and Arabic during his childhood, before moving the United States with his family at age 12.
Upon arriving in America, he strove to learn the English language while adjusting to the busy and culturally different society.
He joined the Marine Corps in 2001 because of its discipline and its tradition that closely mirrored the practices of his beliefs.
Rahman was shocked to learn later in the year that the terrorists of the Sept. 11 attack announced that they were Sunni Muslims and that their faith had led them to attack.
“I was outraged by this ludicrous image that the insurgents portrayed about my faith,” the Columbus, Ohio native said. “No one really feels the same way they feel.”
Now Rahman is working to redeem his faith and putting his linguistic skills to good use while supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
On missions, Rahman, in addition to being a rifleman, acts a linguist for his squad. As a linguist he informs the local community he comes in contact with about the Marines mission here and helps them understand that the service members are here to help them.
“Most of these people don’t know or understand things outside their society,” the 2000 Worthington-Kilbourne graduate said. “Most people don’t understand that the reason we are here is to help them have a better life and to remove these dangerous insurgents.”
Many of the people he talks to do not follow the insurgents’ belief in a jihad (holy war) on America and they do not believe in any religious wars between the Sunni and Shia.
Sometimes people even give him useful information that they think could help them, because of their shared religion.
Even though he is a Sunni Muslim, he is not allowed in the local mosques, which are of the same faith as he is for political reasons. Instead, he finds time to worship in his own way.
“As we go on missions during prayer times I go through the prayer process in my head,” Rahman said. “I try to find time to pray when I’m back at the dam.”
Rahman understands the importance of the missions he goes on and he knows that his small part in a bigger war is not overlooked and he hopes it will be over soon.
“I trust in our leaders’ decisions,” Rahman said with a smile. “I will continue to do my job the best I can, through my actions, my faith will be redeemed, and my country will be safe.”
--snip--
“I trust in our leaders’ decisions,” Rahman said with a smile. “I will continue to do my job the best I can, through my actions, my faith will be redeemed, and my country will be safe.”
USMC ping
Something for the kill all Muslims crowd to chew on.
What was the name of that other muslim Marine who deserted and turned up in Jordan and who is still being investigated...?
I'm not part of the kill all Muslims crowd, but I'm no fan of that religion. Alot of ugly things have been done in the name of Islam and it's going to take time to undo the damage done to its reputation.
That is nice to hear. Many people have indicated that Islam's condemnation of terrorism would be better received if they put their money where their mouths are, so to speak.
Good to see that this young man is doing just that!
One out of over 1 billion Muslims.
Most possible this guy never read Quran to understand what it says. When I was a kid, I used to read quran in Arabic but never was motivated to investigate and interpret what each Sura means. Until, I understood the meanings of these Sura, I also thought Islam is gooood!!! Fortunate, I put my lethargic brain to some work. I no more believe in what I believed and started, since when I turned 22 yrs, believing in what I didn't believe prior to 22 yrs of age.
I get sick of the thinly veiled racism/violence around here.
Kill them ALL? Really??
I notice that no one is brave/stupid enough to advocate that on this thread in the face of the truth.
Not so brave when it comes to saying we should kill this Marine now.....just because he is a Muslim.... are they??
This Marine sounds like an honorable and decent man. There were honorable and decent Japanese and Germans fighting for our side in World War II, too. Just as was true in those cases, It is an ideology and world view that is dangerous in this instance, an ideology and world view that inflames a substantial minority of fanatics to attack and try to kill us and that leads a clear majority of all other Muslims to passively acquiesce to the goals and methods of the Jihadists, or to cheer them on.
This Marine's attitude is far too rarely found among even moderate Muslims worldwide. I hope for his sake, our sake, indeed the whole world's sake that his attitude takes root and grows into a majority view.
What in the world are you ranting about?
Have you read his The Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam (and the Crusades)? I keep seeing that book and wondering if it would be a good and true explanation.
If you had been, you would know what in the world I am 'ranting' about....
I actually had an argument with several people who advocated killing all the women and children, saying that none of them was 'innocent.'
And here's "one of them" who's saving those sorry freepers' skins from people who want them dead.
Ironic that the 'kill all Muslims' crowd around here isn't doing so on this particular thread.....
However, for some Marines who are of the Islamic faith, the war in Iraq hits a personal note. Cpl. Mohammed N. Rahman, who is a Sunni Muslim, fights not only to free the people of Iraq from the insurgents grip and to protect his country (America), but also to redeem his beloved religion.
“This is a personal offense, not only to me but others who share my faith,” said the 23-year-old infantryman with 2nd Platoon, Company L. “The insurgents have scarred the image of my religion.”
Cpl. Mohammed N. Rahman, who is a Sunni Muslim, fights not only to free the people of Iraq from the insurgents grip and to protect his country (America), but also to redeem his beloved religion.
But But! How can this be? I mean all REAL freeper and true blue yankee doddle dandy Americans KNOW that all Muslims only live to kill us infidels.
Oh I'm so confused
It is sad when we see our own buy propaganda.
Thanks for the ping.
Thanks for the ping!
BTTT!!!!!!!
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