Sun, 05/18/2008 - 13:54

In response to the recent desecration of the Holy Qu’ran by a US Soldier, the Executive Director of the American Muslim Armed Forces and Veteran Affairs Council (AMAF & VAC) plans to address this appalling and disrespectful conduct with the Joint Chief of Staff Chaplain, as well as the CENTCOM Chaplain on Monday, May 19, 2008.

Service members come in contact with people of various faith groups all around the world. Disrespect of sacred places, holy books, and other artifacts affects the success of the mission by providing justification for individuals and groups who oppose the presence of US service members. It also suggests that Americans are intolerant of other faiths.

by Sonia Azad
Mar 20, 2008

WASHINGTON-- Muslim troops in the U.S. military  face tough challenges that often leave them choosing between their faith and their duty.

There are nearly 3,400 active duty troops who identify themselves as Muslim, according to the Pentagon.

Link to Video

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla -- Air Force, 1st Lieutenant Ali Jivanjee, of the 58th Fighter Squadron, died due to injuries sustained during an F-15 aircraft accident Feb 20. 

The name of the second pilot involved in the mishap is not being released at this time due to the ongoing investigation; he was released from the Eglin hospital Wednesday and was in good condition. 

The 33d Fighter Wing requests that the media respect the privacy of Lieutenant Jivanjee's family during their time of loss. 

An Interim Safety Board has convened at the 33d Fighter Wing to begin investigating the Feb. 20 crash of two F-15C Eagles over the Gulf of Mexico. 

Both F-15s were assigned to the 58th FS within the 33d FW. The 33d FW is scheduled to return to normal flying operation on Monday, Feb. 25. Thirty-third Fighter Wing Commander, Col. Todd Harmer temporarily suspended flying operations following the crash. 

33rd Fighter Wing Public Affairs

1st Lt. Ali Jivanjee, 58th Fighter Squadron, 33rd Fighter Wing, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.

http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/02/27/apparently-terrorism-pays-it-pays-very-well/

For some time now a trio of self-proclaimed ex-terrorists has been making the rounds of the lecture circuit, charging thousands of dollars for their fantastical tales of life as murderous Muslim extremists.

Their most recent appearance was at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, which hosted the three at its 50th Annual Academy Assembly on the topic, “Dismantling Terrorism: Developing Actionable Solutions for Today’s Plague of Violence.”

Three “former terrorists” speaking today at the Air Force Academy will stick to their area of expertise — terrorism — and won’t be promoting Christianity, academy officials said Tuesday.

“No one is here to talk about religion,” academy spokesman Maj. Brett Ashworth said. “The purpose is to educate future officers and delegates from 50 colleges and universities on the ideology and methodology of terrorists in preparation for leadership positions in the war on terror.”

The “former terrorists” — Walid Shoebat, Kamal Saleem and Zak Anani — will be paid a total of $13,000 for their appearance at the 50th annual Academy Assembly, a conference sponsored by the academy and Columbia University’s American Assembly. Most of the funding comes from private donations through the academy’s Association of Graduates.

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 2/5/08) - A prominent national Islamic civil rights and advocacy group today called on the United States Air Force Academy to offer a balancing perspective at an event this week featuring speakers who have a long history of anti-Muslim rhetoric and whose claims of being "reformed terrorists" have been challenged by experts.

Many people are protesting against the US prison at Guantanamo Bay the world over on its sixth anniversary this month, but for one former US army chaplain it's all quite closer to home.

As a graduate of an intensive program to train Muslim chaplains, Shareda Hosein wants to be the first woman in the U.S. military to be one. But the Army says it's not a battle she should win.

By Caryle Murphy
Sunday, January 20, 2008; Page W16

As-Salaamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh,

When: Saturday 26 January 2008 Description: Muslim Military Members - Strategy Session with AMAFANDVAC Director and Deputy Director.

The purpose of this meeting is to chart strategy for 2008 and beyond. Please register for this event so that we know how many are coming. All registrations require a valid membership to Muslim Military Members. Please read on for more details...

As-Salaamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh,

Imam Zaid Shakir, an Air Force Veteran has reached out to our community and has invited us to register for his monthly webinar.  We have been actively seeking his guidance for our community for awhile now and hope that inshaAllah, he will consider providing us regular spiritual guidance that is specific to the special needs of the Muslim brothers and sisters in the US Armed Forces.

Please read on for more information.