Ft. Hood massacre and U.S. military

November 10, 9:19 AMNY Israel Conflict ExaminerRichard Shulman

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A.P. photo/ Center for the Study of Traumatic stress -- Nidal Hassan, shooter

Major Hassan reportedly massacred fellow U.S. soldiers because he felt that they were preparing to make war on Islam.

Some Muslim veterans of U.S. wars “…return exhausted and traumatized from their tours, only to hear at their local mosques that they will go to hell for ‘killing Muslims,’ said Qaseem A. Uqdah, the executive director of the American Muslim Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs Council.”  “He argued that Muslims groups must work harder to help their veterans cope with coming home.  ‘We are failing as a community here in America’”  (Andrea Elliott, NY Times, 11/9, A1).

That constructive comment is rare for its insight and introspection – our society has become ridden sentiment encouraging minorities to blame their problems entirely upon society and not taking any responsibility for themselves.

I think that Muslims have a particular problem with foreign intervention.  When Saddam was murdering Muslims by the tens of thousands, Muslims abroad were not heard to object much.  When the U.S. intervened to prevent genocide and aggression, Muslims abroad resented it as unbelievers killing Muslims.  They did not give the U.S. credit for liberating a Muslim country.  They did not acknowledge that U.S. troops attack nobody because of his religion.  Yet Major Hassan perceived it as a war on Islam.  Many Muslims have accused the U.S. of making war on Islam, although the U.S. also rescued Muslim Bosnia and Kosovo, rescued the people of Afghanistan, and more.

For more on Muslims in the U.S. military, click here