NOVANEWS
By Mahmoud El-Yousseph
Tennessee State Representative Rick Womic made national and interantional news on Veterans Day following a radio interview when he said that Muslims should be banned from serving in the U.S. Military and all Muslims currently serving should be forced out. He further added, “and if they do not like it, then they can go back to where they came from.”
If bigotry is a crime, the Tennessee Representative will be doing hard time in jail for his ignorance, twisted views and his total disregard for the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment that prohibits a state from denying “any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the law.”
Had he made similar remarks about any other religious or ethnic group in America, he would have been nationally condemned, forced to resign or censured in the State House for his remarks. America’s Muslims should not be fair game!
Insulting and demeaning Muslims is not what one expects of a public official. Such comments are dangerous, indecent and un-American. One gets the impression that Mr. Womic is using prejudice and racial division to advance his political career.
I wish to challenge Mr. Womic’s false assumptions. First of all, there are nearly 3,500 Muslims currently serving in our Armed Forces. Muslim soldiers took part in every war and major conflict since the founding of our nation. More can be learned about Muslims’ and Arabs’ contributions in the defense of America by visiting the website of the Patriotic Arab-Americans in the Military www.apaam.org
It is a religious and moral duty for all Muslims to defend the country in which they live against enemies within or from threats from the outside. It makes no difference if they live in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Libya, Palestine or the good old US of A.
Upon further reading, I came across this comment from a US soldier on the message board of the British Mail Online magazine that read as follows–
Shut up, Rick W. I am in the military, I serve next to Muslim Soldiers every day and I trust them with my life – and I’m in Afghanistan right now! Perhaps you don’t recall the values of loyalty and honor. Perhaps the Air Force failed to inculcate those values in you when you served. Regardless, I suggest you keep your mouth shut. Those statements alone make you unqualified to pass judgement upon any of us ACTUALLY IN AFGHANISTAN AND IRAQ, so get stuffed.
– Alexandra, New York, USA, 16/11/2011
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2061715/Rick-Womick-Muslims-kicked-military.html#ixzz1eJz1Mmep
It is rather bizarre that Mr. Womic has tweeted a message earlier that day that said, “Thank you to all our veterans who serve or have served! Ur bravery,sacrifice and selfless service humble and inspire me. God bless u all!”
Oh please, save me the agony Mr. Womick!
I am an American and also a Muslim who wore the uniform with pride and served for 20 years with honor in our armed forces. I was willing and ready to die for America if need be. Just before I retired in 2004, my oldest son also enlisted in the military and has served two tours of duty in Iraq and one tour in Afghanistan. The last thing he said before he left home, ” If I die, I want to be buried at Arlington !” I was stunned and speechless. Thank God he made it back alive and not in a body bag.
My point is, he did not learn about patriotism and loyalty at school; he learned it at home. Questioning the loyalty and patriotism of Muslim Americans is preposterous. It was a slap in the face for this veteran writer to endure such an insult coming from a lawmaker on Veterans Day.
Patriotism and loyalty is not just about waving Old Glory, it is about loving your country and respecting other citizens regardless of their views and religious preferences. Muslims serving in our armed forces are an asset and not a liability.
Shame on you Rick Womick!
Mahmoud El-Yousseph
Retired USAF Veteran
elyousseph6@yahoo.com
