American Soldier Tries To Unveil Iraqi Girl By For

[laian]

Assalamu alaikum everyone,


I usually do not like to respond to posts of a political nature because at this time with the events such topics can become very sensitive....


But I feel I should present my viewpoint on this particular subject, because I happen to be coming from both sides here.


First, I am an american, a revert to Islam of almost 4 years alhamdulillah. I am horrified at the thought that someone would try to forcibly remove that poor girl's niqab. When you are wearing hijab or niqab, you feel a sort of security that is hard to describe... I do wear hijab alhamdulillah and I would be terrified of going out in public if I thought someone would try to rip it off my head. It is completely degrading, humiliating, and hostile, no matter what the reason.


On the other hand, not only am I an american, but my brother is a soldier in the u.s. army, currently stationed in Iraq. Of course I do not know much about how soldiers behave, but I am appalled at this particular soldier's actions, for sure he should have known better, that his actions would start a fight.


I do know what my brother has told me, and that is in his training and preparation for entering middle eastern countries, the soldiers were told in detail what kinds of customs are practiced in the middle east, and the importance of those practices. One of these they learned about and emphasized heavily was the fact that women cover themselves. I was impressed to hear that he was instructed, if he should be invited into someone's home in Iraq, that he should not try to wander around the house and should stay in the room where they put him, because he would be invading on the privacy of the women of the house. Above all, they were emphasized to show respect for the culture of the Iraqi's.


They were also instructed not to say or do anything that may cause a fight, as they urgently want to keep violence at a minimum. This includes that the soldiers are not allowed to debate about religion with anyone, nor talk about their own religion or wear religious symbols of any kind.


Again I was impressed at the heavy emphasis placed on keeping respect for the culture, and for trying to keep the peace.


Whether or not that actually happens, I do not know. I do know for a fact that my brother follows these guidelines, and I would expect him to show respect for the muslim practices, since he has a sister who is muslim


As far as keeping the peace, the u.s. "says" that is their goal there..... but who really knows what happens. I have heard many different sides of the story about why the u.s. is there, why the Iraqi's don't want them there, why there continues to be violence and attacks.... I don't want to speculate on these issues, but let's just say that the americans don't know everything about what the iraqi people want, and the iraqi's don't know everything about the american's intentions.


There is also the issue of the brutal attacks. Every time I hear of an attack on u.s. troops in iraq I become so afraid that my brother will be hurt or possibly even killed while he is there. As ronniv said, attackers will disguise themselves as anything to get close to their target, and I do not blame that soldier for being extra cautious. He was probably following orders, and also acting for his own life and safety. However, I do not agree with the manner in which he did it, and if all u.s. troops are receiving the same training that my brother described to me, he should have known better, and I'm sure if that is the case he was punished for causing a fight that could have broken out into something much worse.


In short, as an american, I know the attitude of americans, and I would not trust that all u.s. soldiers are behaving appropriately. But on the other hand, from what my brother described to me, it seems the army at least is making an appropriate effort to keep their presence in iraq as painless for the people there as possible.


I am afraid for the muslims in this situation because I feel they are being manipulated, and if I were there I would not feel comfortable or secure in such a situation. I am also afraid for my brother's life and I hope that he exercises extreme caution whereever he goes. There really can't be a middle ground that satisfies everyone... I just hope inshaAllah this whole situation is over as quickly as possible and as many people survive as possible. If my brother dies, then it was his time, no one can kill him if Allah does not wish it. The same goes for everyone involved or affected by this situation, whether muslim or not.


The indecencies that people are exposed to because of soldiers such as the one in this particular event are horrid, and again I hope this situation will be over as soon as possible. in my opinion, that soldier should have contacted the iraqi policeman and requested an appropriate method to search the girl in question.


It is unfortunate how this conflict is thrown into the faces of innocent people. And I understand it is easy to blame american soldiers when things like this happen. But muslims in iraq are not the only ones affected. My cousin is also in the military and has served in iraq. He returned home safe alhamdulillah, but he is severly affected emotionally and mentally.


As you can see, as I said, I am coming from both sides here... it's too hard for me to try to argue about what's going on or conjecture about what should or should not be going on, who is to blame, etc. All I can do is hope that the individuals involved in this, my brother, the muslim people in iraq, the soldiers with family at home... will survive. inshaAllah.


Allaho alim.