"Heart of Glory" Part Two
Defend America
U.S. Department of Defense News About The War On Terrorism
Posted on 09/20/2005 10:24:21 PM PDT by SandRat
By Cpl. Ken Melton2nd Marine Division
HIT, Al Anbar, Iraq (Sept. 20, 2005) -- As a young boy growing up in Pakistan, Lance Cpl. Sajjad H. Rizvi, witnessed terrorists killing people of his faith and terrorizing those who wouldn’t comply with their way of life.
More than a decade later, with memories of his past weighing heavy on his mind, Rizvi has dedicated himself to bringing terrorists to justice as a United States Marine.
Rizvi is a fireteam leader with 1st platoon, Company “L,” 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, recently participated in Regimental Combat Team 2’s Operation Sword.
“I’ve always wanted to be a Marine to help people who were suffering like my people were,” said Rizvi who is a Shia Muslim. “I wanted to be a part of a warrior tradition like those of my religion.”
Rizvi was born in the United States, but his family moved to Karachi in the southern part of Pakistan when he was seven.
For ten years, he watched religiously-motivated killings and discrimination from members of different faith backgrounds.
After graduating from school in Pakistan, he moved back to America and graduated from Westerville South High School in 1998.
He joined the Marine Corps in 2003 while attending college at Columbus State University. Soon after, he found out he was deploying. “I saw this as a chance to give back to my country (America) and my religion,” said the 25-year-old. “I believe in this mission and I have no regret about being over here.”
As he walks along the streets of Hit and other cities in Iraq, he passes Mosques he cannot enter due to sensitivity concerns. Although he understands the rules, he would love to experience visiting the local holy sites.
“I often tell occupants of the home I’m searching that I’m a Muslim and it puts them more at ease,” Rizvi said.
Rizvi speaks Urdu, a variation of Arabic, and assists the Marines in operations and is learning how to speak basic Arabic.
Being an Islamic Marine has really helped break down barriers between people who want to learn more about the Islamic way of life.
“I joined after the 9/11 tragedy and I was never discriminated against because of my nationality or religious background like I had been before,” Rizvi said. “Many people have this misconception that the Muslim community is like what the insurgents portray it as, which is totally untrue.
"I often explain to many of my fellow Marines the customs and sayings of other Muslim people so that they can respond in a respectable manner,” he said.
Even with Rizvi’s positive experience in the Marine Corps, it has not been without tragedy as he has lost several fellow Marines in battles. He said it reminds him of the slaughter of innocents when he was younger.
“I saw some of my brothers die, but I continue to fight not only for them but for my religion,” Rizvi said. “Because, through my actions, I can bring peace between two of the most important things in my life ... my country and my religion.”
[Note by Republicus: Lance Corporal Rizvi is a real-life Lieutenant Worf! And truly a good Muslim: Westernized, modernized, and still true--faithful--to Islam, though understanding it as it should be in the 21st Century. Why? Independent thinking. Made in America.]
posted by John | 3:04 PM
6 Comments:
This story reminds me of another I had read--or seen?-- not too long ago.
I didn't take any notes nor commit much to memory, and so can't recall the American-Muslim Marine's name--was it the same, Lance Corporal Rivzi?
I really don't know, but anyway, what struck me about that Muslim Marine serving in Iraq was not only his professionalism (of course), but his way of thinking, and ability to reconcile conflicting ideologies (like Worf did).
Mind you, he was a pious, practicing Muslim. He even had his own prayer mat in his tent (for his part, Worf also takes time to familiarize himself with the Klingon religion and other traditions when off-duty).
Even though I don't remember the interview verbatiom, I do remember the essential gist:
He was asked about jihad (directly or indirectly)--or he himself brought it up-- and how he felt about serving in the American armed forces in a war on Muslim lands.
Here was the modernist shift:
As he saw it, he said that it was he and his brothers-- his fellow *Marines*--who were the ones waging jihad against the infidels, i.e. those who corrupted Islam, and led Muslims astray:
The Islamists.
That's quite a sophisticated shift.
It's reasoning like an Aristotelian falasifa, seeing things in terms of Platonic universals and allegories (e.g. good vs. evil), not particulars (e.g. Muslims vs. non-muslims), and understands the Quran's command to fight accordingly.
I'm sure the orthodox Muslim would call that heresy, and him a traitor (exactly how Worf was considered by nationalist Klingons), i.e. a "bad Muslim," but was Worf, then, a bad Klingon?
The answer depends upon which way you consider the correct one, the better way, for all concerned:
The Federation Way, or the Klingon's "Way of the Warrior"?
(the Federation way, remember, allows the best of both worlds).
Obviously, the Muslim marine(s) OBEYING THE COMMAND FOR JIHAD must necessarily consider himself, and Amrica, as "the good guys"--the ones with Allah's blessings--in the conflict.
I'm curious to know what Mr. Bargholz thinks of Lance Corporal Rivzi and the other Marine I mentioned (if they are not one and the same), and their interpretation of the Islamic faith.
Are they "phony" Muslims?
How? They have deep faith and feel the obligatory sense of duty and loyalty to it.
They are simply a NEW KIND of Muslim.
Are they not redemptive for Islam?
This is interesting that you ask if this Marine is a "Phony" Muslim or a New kind of Muslim.
The same thing is argued about Mormons. Are they Christians? Just because we see things differently, does that mean we aren't?
Perhaps this marine can see things the way Muhammad (sp) or rather Allah intended in the first place and that indeed there had been a 'falling away' or apostacy from the truth among his fellow muslims.
So, you are saying...they can't help it.
I did not say that. They have a brain and the power of free choice.
Yes, they do. They have the agency to choose for themselves.
I agree there...I wasn't sure how you took it.
You said, "From what I've read--from what you yourself provided-- Mormons are "tolerated"--as long as they mind their place.
And see how "tolerated" you are in places like Saudi Arabia."
Yes, we are tolerated...but not harmed. My Aunt and Uncle lived in Saudi for a few years.
And that is interesting considering our "relationship" with Israel.
We do not proselyte among the Israelis, either. We do not send missionaries in ANY country where it is prohibited by law to do so.
I'll hand it to you that the Quran does encourage the warrior mentality...but it is because it is a choice they make.
So, I guess everyone else left town or got cold feet.
Actually, I have a vague recollection of a story about a a Muslim-American soldier who snapped and killed his fellow soldiers--for the sake of Islam.
I think he lobbed a grenade into a mess hall or something...
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