A Muslim Marine's Testimony: The True Khalifa of Islam Leaves No Room for Terrorism and Only Permits Fighting in Self-defense to Protect Freedom of Religion for All People

A Muslim Marine's testimony to his fallen Chattanooga brothers: Column

A proud Marine and faithful Muslim speaks out in the name of integrity.

July 17, 2015

Tayyib M. Rashid, USA TODAY - I still remember why I enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. I wanted to be part of a brotherhood of men dedicated to the service of our country. I was young, 19, and in college. I was a good student — but I knew this wasn't going to cut it.

At the time many told me it was a foolish decision, but in January 1997 I enlisted anyhow. My father, who is a Muslim missionary and theologian, fully supported and approved of my decision. For as an Islamic scholar, he well knew Prophet Muhammad's commandment to all Muslims, "Loyalty to your country of residence is part of your faith." Thus, in enlisting in the Marines, I was fulfilling my obligations as a United States Citizen, and as a Muslim. I felt empowered knowing that no contradiction existed between the two.

Today I am an honorably discharged Marine who proudly served five years active duty in the United States Marine Corps. Serving my country remains among the highest honors I've been blessed with. Thus, I was that much more horrified, angered, and saddened at the loss of life of my four brothers-in-arms in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

This senseless loss of life became even more incomprehensible when I learned that the alleged shooter appears to have been a Muslim. But I see nothing Islamic in this act of terrorism. I see only the actions of a sick and twisted individual. No difference exists between the Chattanooga terrorist, the terrorist Dylann Roof who allegedly killed nine innocent black Americans in Charleston last month, or James Holmes, the terrorist convicted of killing 12 innocent people in a Colorado theater several years ago.

And as I reflect on the Chattanooga attack, I can only wonder how anyone who is Muslim, especially one living in the United States, can even think about such despicable acts? Islam leaves no room for terrorism, and only permits fighting in self-defense to protect freedom of religion for all people. What this terrorist committed represents his own personal barbarity — nothing else.

In fact, individuals like the shooter have no religion. Islam holds human life sacred at the highest level. The Holy Quran has likened the killing of an innocent life to killing of all of mankind. Rather than holding loyalty to country as part of his faith, this terrorist engaged in violence against the very people sworn to protect him from harm. He attacked my fellow human beings, my fellow Americans, my fellow Marine brothers. While this terrorist might have been inspired by ISIS, I follow the true Khalifa of Islam, His Holiness Mirza Masroor Ahmad, who loudly declares:

"From cover to cover, the Holy Qur'an teaches love, affection, peace, reconciliation and the spirit of sacrifice. Hence, if anybody portrays Islam as an extreme and violent religion filled with teachings of bloodshed, then such a portrayal has no link with the real Islam."

My message today is not to non-Muslims living in America. They know where I stand, and I still have my Marine Corps dress blues to prove it. My message is to my fellow American Muslims. I say to you that we know better than anyone that the Chattanooga terrorist does not represent any of us. We know the frustration we feel when people label us for his act of terrorism. I say to you to keep your head up and walk proud. Continue to follow Prophet Muhammad's example of compassion, service to humanity, and love for all, hatred for none.

And I have one final message. That is, my thoughts and prayers go out to the Marine brothers' family members and friends. This indeed is a sad day for our country. While I mourn, I am also proud and honored to be associated with the same Marine Corps brotherhood as those brave souls who departed from us today.

And I'm reminded once more why I joined the Marines.

Semper Fi.

Sergeant Tayyib M. Rashid served in the United States Marine Corps from 1997 to 2002, when he was honorably discharged. Follow him on Twitter @MuslimMarine.

Chattanooga stirs U.S. Muslims' concerns about radicalization

July 19, 2015

Reuters - Addressing his congregation on the Eid al-Fitr holiday celebrating the end of Ramadan, Imam Mohamed Abdul-Azeez implored worshipers to combat Muslim extremism in the aftermath of a shooting rampage that killed five servicemen in Tennessee.

The suspect, a young Muslim who grew up in the Chattanooga area, also died in the gunfight on Thursday, the last day of Islam's holy month of fasting.

It was the latest reminder to American Muslims of the need to find ways to keep teenagers and young adults from being drawn to ideologies promoted by such groups as Islamic State, the militants also known as ISIS who control part of Syria.

"When they talk about Syria, when they talk about Tennessee ... what will they say about the American Muslim community?" Azeez asked the 2,000 congregants at the rented hall in Sacramento, California, on Friday.

He went on to rail against extremists, whom he said usurp the spirit of Allah for their own purposes.

The FBI is investigating the Chattanooga shooting as an act of terrorism, though law enforcement officials said it was premature to speculate on the gunman's motive.

Hours before the attack, the suspect, Mohammod Youssuf Abdulazeez, had texted his close friend a link to a long Islamic verse that included the line: "Whosoever shows enmity to a friend of Mine, then I have declared war against him."

Mainstream Muslim leaders around the world are concerned about the radicalization of young people, vulnerable to fiery rhetoric that frequently distorts the religion's true teaching.

In Britain, a well-known cleric developed a 900-page anti-extremism religious curriculum to be taught in Muslim schools. About 700 Britons are estimated to have traveled to Syria and Iraq, many to join ISIS.

In the United States, imams and other leaders regularly visit high schools and colleges, but finding the right message and approach has proved to be a delicate tightrope walk between religion and politics.

In Chicago, anti-extremist activist Ahmed Rehab lectures at schools and mosques, rebutting radical ideas point by point with Islamic theology. He said militant groups at best misread the Koran and at worst distort it when they say that Islam condones their violent behavior.

"When we're able to root our arguments that are counter-extremist in the authentic message of Islam, I think it's more effective," Rehab said.

Yasir Qadhi, a professor at Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee, and the AlMaghrib Institute educational organization, also emphasizes religious teachings to show that Islam condemns terrorism. But he goes step further, engaging his students in discussions of political issues facing Muslims in the United States and elsewhere, even though that can invite controversy.

"Simple condemnations are not going to get to the hearts and minds of these people," Qadhi said. It is important to acknowledge that young people are attracted to groups like ISIS because they are seen as standing up for oppressed Muslims, he said.

The cleric recognizes that his listeners may feel angry about Israeli-Palestinian relations or other flashpoint issues. He said he uses history and theology to combat extremism.

It's a stance that has earned Qadhi death threats from ISIS as well as some far-right Americans, with both sides saying he is too sympathetic to the other.

PRACTICAL POLITICS

In Sacramento, Muslim leaders educate young people about broader social issues, including poverty, access to healthcare and racism, said Basim Elkarra, executive director of the Sacramento Valley chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.

Through a leadership program run in cooperation with the state legislature, high school students learn about political engagement, such as lobbying, drafting legislation and what it's like to serve as an elected official.

"It's giving people an outlet," Elkarra said, "giving them a voice and the tools to make a difference."

Sacramento Muslims have also set up a hotline for people to call if they become anxious or stressed, said Irfan Haq, president of the Council of Sacramento Islamic Organizations.

A key problem, several imams said, is that people who become radicalized tend to stop coming to their mosques, preferring instead the company of militant recruiters and radical clerics.

In Arizona, for example, leaders at the Islamic Community Center of Phoenix knew Elton Simpson, one of two men killed by police while attempting an attack at an anti-Islam event near Dallas in May. Simpson had argued with the mosque's imam over teachings he perceived as too liberal.

Then he disappeared.

"It doesn't match with the ideology and they stop coming," said Usama Shami, chairman of the Islamic Community Center of Phoenix. "And then you don't know what they are doing."