They live in America, but don't get the wrong idea: that doesn't mean they have any loyalty to it. Loyalty to Islam comes first; Wassef Ali Hassoun's family has a lot of 'splainin' to do, and they're doing it.
Can you remember the last time that the family of a United States Marine felt compelled to apologize for their son's service? I can't. Here, then, is an insight into the Muslim mindset regarding loyalties and service to a non-Muslim nation -- particularly the Great Satan. From AP, with thanks to Roxanne:
BEIRUT, Lebanon - Relatives of a U.S. Marine who surfaced in Beirut nearly three weeks after an apparent kidnapping in Iraq appealed for understanding from fellow Arabs on Saturday, saying the Lebanese-born man emigrated and joined the Marines for financial reasons.Cpl. Wassef Ali Hassoun was doing well and recovering at a U.S. military hospital in Germany after being flown out of Lebanon on Friday, a Marine spokesman said. He is expected to return to his home unit in Camp Lejeune, N.C., next week.
In Hassoun's native city of Tripoli, his family issued a statement saying he was forced to go to the United States and join the Marines because of the deteriorating economic situation caused by Lebanon's 1975-90 civil war.
The statement appeared aimed at countering criticism by some fundamentalist Sunni Muslims in Tripoli who accused Hassoun's family of being "American agents and collaborators." It stressed the family's Arab and Islamic ties, and its loyalty to Lebanon.
"We are a family of Lebanese Arab Muslims. We are not seeking to defend ourselves," the Hassoun family's statement said. "But we would like to thank the Lebanese for sympathizing with one of their sons (Hassoun) who was pushed by the difficult living conditions in their home country to emigrate and forced to work in a position that they may not like."
The statement said Hassoun, 24, was "driven by the lure of a good life to emigrate, (but he) might have made a mistake by choosing to sign a four-year contract with the U.S. Navy, which expires by the end of 2005."
Well, isn't this a slap in the face? Ungrateful pukes. Get the hell out of the U.S. if it's so terrible for you! Go back to your own kind since you appreciate them so much. "Forced" and "pushed" into doing things they don't want? Oh, poor, poor things. How torturous your lives must be in that nasty U.S. of A. Meanwhile, there's millions of people clamouring to get into the US any which way they can - illegal entry, marriages of convenience, green card lottery, living under the radar for years, etc., while this bunch of ingrates whines about how awful it is.
Must be so difficult to be a soldier in the US military if you've got a Muslim amongst you. Can you depend on this Muslim to fight for and protect you if need be? Or will his/her number one loyalty be to Islam and would they let you be slaughtered if such a situation arises? Would they run off begging to be saved by their number one pals, fellow Islamics, while letting you be killed? This is what the coalition forces do not need right now.
And sadam insane and obl were caused by the deceite and hate of george bush and we need john/john to make things ok with the french and germans
Whole thing sounds weird.Why would he want to go to Iraq in the first place? Unless he could hand on info...Strange he wasn't worried about travelling 800 miles in his brother's truck to Lebanon,very convenient that. Also the hoax must have been planned. Anyone know the answer???
What a puke! If this were WWII and a German-American went over to the Nazis, he'd be court-martialed and sent to prison. Consquences should not be restricted to non-minorities. I am waiting to read 'we need to understand his moral dilemma." PUKE! He needs to be found either guilty or not, religion or not, he took an oath to defend the USA; no excuses, yes or no.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems that the family members of Cpl. Hassoun in question were located in the Sunni Muslim-majority city of Tripoli, in Lebanon. If that was the case, I wouldn't expect them to say anything else. Methinks that if there were a general war in the ME, and the US military hit the beach at Tripoli, the same people would be the first to hang a bedsheet out of the upper window and an "English Spoken Here--we take Visa" sign in the family store.
But, if it were family members in the USA making a similar statement, they ought to be deported.
This has more importance than we can think, this is the famous in Spain fifth column, namely, the muslims spanish live in many places in the XVI century that support the otoman empire in his invasions to the spanish coast,
I think that this people is a traitor people and they have to be deported to Lebanon and their families and removed their nacionalities, they´re soldiers dying for the country, and this man is a coward. Greetings
"Can you depend on this Muslim to fight for and protect you if need be? Or will his/her number one loyalty be to Islam and would they let you be slaughtered if such a situation arises? Would they run off begging to be saved by their number one pals, fellow Islamics, while letting you be killed?"
Not so much a comment as it is a thought . . . if Slick Willie still held the reigns. . . would we see a provision on enlistment papers regarding religious preference that put forth a "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy if you are Muslim?????
Scary, huh?
Since they are members of "The Religion of Peace", when a Muslim enters a recruiting office, the military should have a policy that automatically denies their acceptance in to the military as "conscientious objectors".
I've been attending several masjids since 9-02. I also attend Islamic fund raisers and Islamic conventions. In each there is a very strong to show allegiance to the Muslim Ummah (Community or Army). Particularly the fund raisers. The USA is very wealthy, and the money raised at these events will usually run between $100,000 to $250,000. Much of the money that is raised is done by appealing to the need to protect the Ummah by the devestating effects of the corrupt West. Believe the fund raisers are well attended. Remember the Prophet gave all he had to the Ummah. It's far easier to influnce our system politically. So far President Bush is beginning to understand the magnitude of the problem. John Kerry doesn't have a clue. The Kerry campaign is heavily supported by the Militants (Jihadists) see www.danielpipes.org article about Cynthia McKinney's (Democrat) Jihadist support. They're here, and their long term goal is the establishment of the Islamic State. The short-term one is the defeat of President Bush.
People, go to your local mosque and say you're interested in learning about Islam. Lessons and Sermons (Friday) are all in English. Just listen to what these people are saying. It's unbelievable. About 80% of the mosques in the USA are dominated by the Militants. rsh1776
NY Daily News, June 28, 2004 column stated that Hassoun came to the U.S. shortly before 9/11 and was so affected by it that he immediately joined the Marines. Odd, considering the fact that his father said he "was not a fighter". Why the Marines? Also odd, relatives say he joined the marines because of the money, (one would think a translator could find gainful employment someplace other than the Corps.)Join all with the comments today in the Associated Press report...many, many questions. How many U.S. Marines would have survived being held by the beheading happy militants were they not muslim?
FYI - Hassoun was said to have prayed each Friday at one of three Utah mosques...all under the umbrella of The Islamic Society of Greater Utah. They are the Al-Noor, Khadeeja and another unknown. The Imam at the Khadeeja has spoken at Muslim Student Association sponsored event. Tarek Nosseir has been the spokesman for the family, (affiliated with the Society), anyone have info on him?
John Kerry's wife, Theresa, funds CAIR through the TIDES Foundation.
TIDES Foundation statement confirming funds given to CAIR
Thank you Hulequ...
Isn't the National Lawyers Guild also on the list? Lynne Stewart, (Sheik Omar Abdel Rahman's lawyer and also awaiting her own trial for aiding his efforts), spoke at the National Lawyers Guild conference.
TEST
I agree with Kepha1. We don't know their local situation....it might be very unsafe.
Don't judge a man 'till you've walked a mile in his shoes. That way, when you do judge him, you'll be a mile away AND you'll have his shoes.