Fear of bias keeps U.S. Muslims out of military

[deadparrot]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Desperately short of soldiers who speak Arabic and understand Islam, the U.S. military is quietly courting American Muslims. But they show little enthusiasm for an institution many say is prejudiced against them.

"The military have the same problem as civilian government agencies, such as the FBI," said Ibrahim Hooper of the Council of American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), an advocacy group. "There is a general reluctance to join because Muslims think there is bias against them and career prospects are limited."

Pentagon statistics show there are more Jews and Buddhists than Muslims serving in the 1.4 million strong, overwhelmingly Christian armed forces.

In the Marine Corps, there are only slightly more Muslims than Wiccans, who practice witchcraft. And in the Air Force, Wiccans outnumber Muslims by more than two to one.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070207/lf_nm/usa_muslims_military_dc

[annabanana]

1. "Wiccans outnumber Muslims by more than two to one".

in the Airforce. (For some reason that makes me giggle)

Can anyone be surprised that our Muslim citizens might be less than an enthusiastic audience for a recruiter?

[zbdent]

3. There's a joke in there, but I didn't want to go to the stereotype

(hint: broomsticks ...) since I've realized that Wiccan sure isn't Samantha Stevens ...

[krispos42]

2. Blue on blue violence is a factor, too

"Sorry Sarge, thought Specialist Akhmad was an insurgent".

[rocktivity]

6. So is being mistaken for a spy

"Off to Abu Grahaib with him!"

:headbang:
rocknation

[Heywood J]

7. Exactly.

"Well, gee, Sarge. All them A-rabs look alike to me!"

Picture every WWII "you look like a Jap/Kraut" incident, then multiply it. Then picture insurgents having contests to try and capture American uniforms.

[robcon]

4. Asking CAIR why Muslims don't enlist is a joke.

Why don't they ask bin Laden why they don't enlist?

[High Plains]

8. What do you mean? Why not ask CAIR?

[Igel]

11. Because they're an advocacy group.

They're not a social science research institute, nor an organization dedicated to polling.

[harun]

10. CAIR is who they should ask (n/t)

[treestar]

5. Trying to picture a Wiccan member of the Air Force

I love it.

I don't blame them really, but it probably is stereotype that all the troops are right wing nuts. I know of at least one liberal who is in Afghanistan. The republics claim this often, though, so I could see where a Muslim might hesitate, especially in the light of "friendly fire" or the idea that they will be seen as spies.

[stanwyck]

9. When my son first joined the Marines

the enemy was referred to as Mohammed. Turns out, that was also the name for many U.S. soldiers and Marines. Seems like someone would have realized that just by looking over the names of our enlisted men and women.
Now, the enemy is referred to as "Hadji".
Of course, we're still having trouble knowing exactly who Hadji is, what age, what nationality, what gender, what religion.
Apparently Hadji is whoever you want him/her to be.