Being the citizen of a country with full rights also entails full duty and responsibility. Citizens should be at the service of their country in whatever job, security and defence included. A soldier, regardless of faith, should first of all obey commands and not act on personal convictions, such as choosing where to fight or which type of enemy to shoot or kill.As Britain is a society where people from different faiths work in ordinary and sensitive areas like Scotland Yard, it doesn’t make sense to exclude Muslims from joining the army. This will just increase the suspicion some have about Muslims that they are good just at killing for religious beliefs and not to defend their country against aggression. The military means camaraderie and as such, a Muslim soldier should be loyal to his brothers in arms.
There is only one danger can face the British army is when it is infiltrated by Muslim extremists ready to betray the comrades for the sake of some extremist groups.
Muslim soldiers should be seen as an asset for the military through whom the Muslim community shows allegiance to their country and their pride in fighting for it. They can be an asset also when serving in peace missions in Muslim countries like Afghanistan where the shared religion can help to build trust between the army and the locals.
A striking example of multi-faith and multiracial army is that of the USA. In Iraq Muslim soldiers who originate from Muslim and Arab countries are acting professionally. There has never been an incident of a Muslim American soldier turning his gun against his fellow soldiers or blowing himself up to kill as many as possible.
For UK to discharge Muslim soldiers of their duty or for them to quit will be just a victory for the terrorists who will see this tactic as successful. The best message to them is to keep the army a reflection of social diversity where everyone works for the perpetuation of peace, security and harmony.
Article published first on BBC WHYS and graciously published on the section of the best on the web on The Guardian Unlimited website.
4 comments:
Hello
The U.S army is a good example of a multi-ethnic and multi-racial army. The British Army has been making efforts to increase the percentage of ethnic minorities. Unlike the U.S, where I assume the intake is 2nd generation migrants, many of the ethnic minorites in the British Army are from overseas, particularly Fiji (around 3000) and Nepal(and they have tended to return rather than settle in the U.K). As both are volunteer armies this pattern may continue for some time to come.
P.S. Came through the Guardian website where you on the best of the Web list.
Thanks BevanKieran for your comment. UK army will find no problem recruiting soldiers from different ethnicities as they consider themselves as full citizens of their country, ready to defend it in all circumstances and places.
I JUST SAW THESE WORD WHICH I THINK IS REALLY FUNNY( They can be an asset also when serving in peace missions in Muslim countries like Afghanistan where the shared religion can help to build trust between the army and the locals.)
WHAT PEACE R U TALKING ABOUT IN AFGANISTAN I DONT THINK U CAN TRUST A MUSLIM WHO POINTS HIS GUN AGAINST HI MUSLIM BROTHER ITS LIKE ASKING A BABYSITTER TO TAKE CARE OF UR CHILD AFTER KILLING HER OWN BABY GOOD LUCK WITH THAT
Let's talk in 400 years when your religion has come out of its "crazy baby" mode - in which it seems to be stuck - as was christianity until a couple of hundred years ago. Sad, but true :( when will people understand that "i will blow your head off, unless you believe in what i believe" doesnt work?
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