Obama Honors Fallen Muslim-American Soldier at Iftar

By Donna Miles

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Aug. 11, 2011 – President Barack Obama paid tribute to a fallen soldier during an iftar dinner at the White House last night as an example of contributions Muslim-Americans have made to America’s diversity and freedoms.

Recognizing the upcoming 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks, Obama noted the diverse backgrounds of Americans – including Muslim-Americans -- who suffered during the attacks, rushed to their aid as first responders and continue to serve in harm’s way protecting American freedoms.

“During 10 hard years of war, our troops have served with excellence and with honor,” he said, with some making the ultimate sacrifice for the United States.

Among them was 20-year-old Army Spc. Kareem Rashad Sultan Kahn, a member of 2nd Infantry Division’s 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, based at Fort Lewis, Wash. Khan was among four U.S. soldiers killed by a roadside bomb in Baqouba, Iraq, on Aug. 6, 2007.

“Galvanized by 9/11 to serve his country, he gave his life in Iraq and now rests with his fellow heroes at Arlington,” the president said. A Muslim crescent marks Kahn’s grave, just as crosses and stars mark the graves of fallen Christian and Jewish heroes.

“Like Kareem, this generation has earned its place in history,” Obama said last night. He asked all servicemembers at the iftar celebration to stand to accept their fellow guests’ applause.

“This year and every year, we must ask ourselves: How do we honor these patriots --those who died and those who served?” the president said. “In this season of remembrance, the answer is the same as it was 10 years ago. We must be the America they lived for and the America they died for --the America they sacrificed for.”

That, he explained, is an accepting America that stays true to its core values and recognizes its diversity as its strength. It’s also a nation that “stands up for dignity and the rights of people around the world, whether a young person demanding his or her freedom in the Middle East or North Africa, or a hungry child in the Horn of Africa, where we are working to save lives,” he said.

Obama called the iftar “part of a rich tradition here at the White House of celebrating the holy days of the many faiths and the diversity that define us as a nation.”

An iftar is a meal served at the day's end during Ramadan, which began Aug. 1 this year and continues through Aug. 29.

Ramadan is the Islamic faith's holiest time and commemorates the revelation of the Quran to the prophet Muhammad. Through fasting, prayer and worship, Muslims reflect on their spiritual lives and their dependence on God as they strengthen family and community ties.

Truman Sailors Celebrate Ramadan

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jonnie Hobby, USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) Public Affairs

USS HARRY S. TRUMAN (CVN 75), At Sea (NNS) -- Nine Muslim crew members on board USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), currently deployed to the 5th Fleet Area of Operations (AOO), ended a month-long fast during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan Sept. 9.

To fulfill one of the five pillars of Islam, Muslim crew members must abstain from consuming any form of sustenance from dawn until dusk while observing Ramadan.

"We fast for 29 or 30 consecutive days, depending on the sighting of the new moon," said Aviation Boatswain's Mate [Handling] 1st Class (AW) Abdoulie Jallow, the Muslim lay leader aboard Truman. "Fasting is a form of Ibadah, which means worship and obedience of Allah. It gives us a greater spiritual understanding and rejuvenates our faith by showing us virtues of compassion for the poor and the needy."

The Department of the Navy's policy under SECNAVINST 1730.8B states that Sailors and Marines have the right to practice any religion as long as it does not have an adverse impact on the command's health, safety or mission-readiness.

"Whatever a person's religious background, the Navy's policy is to accommodate that person's religious needs," said Cmdr. Jerome Hinson, Truman's command chaplain. "We are able to arrange meals for them before sunrise and after sunset. Depending on their work schedules, we accommodate their needs as much as we can."

Truman's Muslim community is very grateful that they are able to freely attend prayer services, as well as honor Ramadan on board.

"When I was in elementary school, my teachers told me that Americans have a freedom of religion," said Electronics Technician 3rd Class Eli Conroe, a Muslim Sailor who works in Combat Systems. "I believe it's also our right as human beings. When I joined the Navy and knew they supported every religion, it gave me a greater sense of pride to be able to serve my country."

The Muslim culture celebrates the end of Ramadan with a feast called Eid-Ul-Fitr. The Muslim Sailors who observed Ramadan aboard Truman got together to celebrate Eid during the ship's port visit to Jebel Ali, U.A.E.

"It's a great experience to be able to practice my religion here," said Aviation Ordnanceman 2nd Class (AW) Jason Jenkins, a Muslim Sailor from Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 32. "It really shows the commitment the Navy has in allowing us to practice our faith and that we are supported by everybody."

While Jallow was stationed aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), he was able to go on a joint-service training mission to Mecca to fulfill Hajj, another Pillar of Islam. As a trainee in the Islamic traditions and faith, Jallow was humbled and honored that his career as a Sailor enabled him to fulfill a major part of his religion.

"Islam is my way of life, just as much as the Navy is," Jallow said. "The fact that we can practice our religion freely and serve our nation at the same time speaks volumes about our nation's policy on religious tolerance. From the entire upper chain of command to the most junior enlistee to the cooks providing us with food during Ramadan—everyone has supported us 100 percent."

Senior Advisor to Deputy Secretary Focuses on Relationship Building

By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

Oct. 15, 2007 - If Hesham Islam's life story was translated into a screenplay -- and it's got all the makings of a Hollywood blockbuster -- the director would be hard-pressed to come up with a more compelling chain of events landing him as a top advisor to the deputy defense secretary. The movie would open with Islam as a young boy growing up in Cairo, Egypt, huddling in terror as Israeli bombs came raining down, demolishing much of the building around him and his family.

Next would be the scene of the teenager who moves to Iraq when his Egyptian naval officer father is transferred to help establish the Arabian Gulf naval academy Islam would later attend.

The camera would then close in on a young merchant mariner adrift for three days in the Arabian Sea after an Iranian torpedo sunk his 16,000-ton cargo ship, drowning all but Islam and four of his crewmates.

Next viewers would see the young man, who after corresponding with an American pen-pal for more than three years, dares ask for the photograph that leaves him smitten with his future wife.

The action would shift to the United States, where the new husband, desperate to provide for his family, enlists in the Navy. Later he will be accepted into Officer Candidate School, then ultimately retire 20 years later as a Navy commander.

Today, Islam is drawing on those vast experiences to advise Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England on international affairs.

Although Islam's life lends itself to high-drama scenes typically seen on the big screen, England sees him more as a behind-the-scenes player with a special talent for bringing other actors together.

Before retiring from the Navy, Islam contributed this skill and his regional and language expertise on the staff of then-Navy Secretary England. Much of Islam's work focused on U.S. military engagement with the Middle East.

As England moved to the No. 2 Pentagon position, Islam followed, broadening his purview to "the whole globe."

"He's my interlocutor," England said. "He represents me to the international community. He assists me in my own outreach efforts, and he's extraordinarily good at it."

Islam is rarely at his Pentagon desk, believing the best way to serve as England's "man out in town in Washington, D.C." is to be out and about, building relationships.

"I am a strong believer that there are no relationships between countries," he said. "Relationships are between people, and those relationships are what bring countries together."

"It is all about friendships between people," agreed England, "and you build them one person at a time."

England calls relationship building "a contact sport." "You can't develop friendships unless you actually go out and take the effort to meet people and interact with people," he said.

As he represents the Defense Department around the country and the around the world, England said, he counts on Islam's insights and advice. "Hesham helps me understand people's different perspectives and how they see things," England said. "He has a cultural background that's very helpful, but he also works at it very hard to get a better understanding of people and how they think."

Islam works tirelessly to befriend diplomats from around the world, learning from each about their country, its sensitivities, and its requirements. "I help them understand us, as Americans, and help my boss understand them," he said. "My goal is to bridge the gap and help people understand each other, even if we are different."

Not all Islam's efforts are directed toward other countries. A Muslim, Islam works closely with the Muslim-American community, encouraging its members to integrate into American society and take an active stand with the United States in the war on violent extremism. "This war can't be won by just Americans," he said. "It's a war that has to be fought by Muslims. Islam has been hijacked, and it is time to take it back."

Islam said he's proud of the 5,000 Muslims actively supporting that effort in the U.S. military. Among them is his own son, Navy Lt. j.g. Rami Islam, who serves aboard the carrier USS Carl Vinson. "As a parent, I'm very proud that my son is serving this country," he said.

After growing up in wartime, first in Egypt, then in Iraq, Islam hopes this dialogue can help eliminate differences that can lead to misunderstanding and conflict. "If people talk, people don't fight. If they talk, they don't argue," he said. "I try to bring talking and understanding into the dialogue."

"Hesham has wonderful friendships and relationships, and therefore he can give me extraordinarily good advice in dealing with countries and people," England said. "I take his advice, and I listen to him all the time."

England said he rarely disagrees with Islam's guidance. "After all," he said, "if you have a good doctor, you listen to your doctor, right?"