• Why Jihad Watch?
  • About Robert Spencer and Staff Writers
  • FAQ
  • Books
  • Muhammad
  • Islam 101
  • Privacy

Jihad Watch

Exposing the role that Islamic jihad theology and ideology play in the modern global conflicts

Canadian Forces seek recruits at mosque, encounter “indignation” among some members

Oct 9, 2008 12:12 am By Marisol Seibold

Among the “indignant” members, there is a curious logical disconnect. The same people would most likely insist that the problem of Islamic jihad is limited to a Tiny Minority of Extremists who have “hijacked” Islam. And yet, apparently, neither Muslims nor non-Muslims are supposed to fight those people, either.

“Canadian Forces to recruit at mosque,” by Jane Armstrong for Military World, October 8 (thanks to Twostellas):

VANCOUVER — The Canadian Forces will make a rare appearance at a British Columbia mosque tonight. The aim is to generate interest among Muslims in careers in the military. But not everyone at Burnaby’s Al-Salaam mosque is thrilled about the open house.

Some members say they don’t think a religious institution should be used to showcase the Canadian military. Others aren’t keen on the mosque hosting an organization that is involved in a combat mission in Afghanistan in which fellow Muslims are being killed.

A spokesman for the Canadian Forces said the event isn’t aimed at pitching or defending the war or military careers.

Lieutenant-Commander Kris Phillips, of the Canadian National Defence Public Affairs Office, said Canada’s Muslim community – like women and aboriginal people – is underrepresented in the Forces. And the information sessions are designed to provide minority groups with direct, unfiltered information

Another meeting was scheduled last night at a Vancouver native community centre.

Among the panelists answering questions tonight will be Sub-Lieutenant Wafa Dabbagh, a navy officer and the first woman to wear a hijab, or head covering, in the Canadian military.

However, the event has raised eyebrows and even indignation among some mosque members.

Student Toshio Rahman said he thinks it’s inappropriate for the Canadian military to recruit in a mosque.

“When it comes to something like the armed forces, the military, the navy, or anything that has to do with security issues, I don’t think it’s the proper venue for that,” said Mr. Rahman, 23.

“It goes against the ideals of Islam, in that we are a peaceful religion, and we are trying … at this stage, to fix our persona in the world right now, and I don’t think that an image of violence or a representation of violence at the mosque is appropriate.”

Mr. Rahman said he’s opposed to Canada’s role in the NATO mission in Afghanistan. The prospect of joining a military organization that has troops fighting in a Muslim country is anathema to many Canadian Muslims, he added.

“I don’t agree with the reasons we went there in the first place. If this was a truly peacekeeping mission, I would agree with it. Afghanistan is much more complicated and I think the only reason we went in there was because of America,” Mr. Rahman said.

Right. The global jihad, or whatever Rahman may care to call it, doesn’t concern Canada at all.

“I hear that the two [recruiters] are Muslim. I respect what they’re doing. I don’t agree with what they’re doing. I don’t think it would help to have Muslim Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan.”

However, the mosque’s youth director, Imaad Ali, said many young Muslims are intrigued by a career in the military.

Mr. Ali, who helped organize the event, said he would like to see more Muslims in the military. Most of the people who have expressed opposition to the event, he said, are educated professionals. “They see the military as the potential to go to war and fight.”

Mr. Ali said he disagrees, adding there’s also a patriotic aspect to joining the military. Many of his contemporaries, he said, “don’t realize where democracy came from, and that people had to fight for it and had to lay down their lives.”

Indeed.

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)

Follow me on Facebook

Filed Under: Uncategorized


Learn more about RevenueStripe...

FacebookYoutubeTwitterLog in

Subscribe to the Jihad Watch Daily Digest

You will receive a daily mailing containing links to the stories posted at Jihad Watch in the last 24 hours.
Enter your email address to subscribe.

Please wait...

Thank you for signing up!
If you are forwarding to a friend, please remove the unsubscribe buttons first, as they my accidentally click it.

Subscribe to all Jihad Watch posts

You will receive immediate notification.
Enter your email address to subscribe.
Note: This may be up to 15 emails a day.

Donate to JihadWatch
FrontPage Mag

Search Site

Translate

The Team

Robert Spencer in FrontPageMag
Robert Spencer in PJ Media

Articles at Jihad Watch by
Robert Spencer
Hugh Fitzgerald
Christine Douglass-Williams
Andrew Harrod
Jamie Glazov
Daniel Greenfield

Contact Us

Terror Attacks Since 9/11

Archives

  • 2020
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2019
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2018
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2017
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2016
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2015
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2014
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2013
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2012
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2011
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2010
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2009
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2008
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2007
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2006
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2005
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2004
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2003
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • March

All Categories

You Might Like

Learn more about RevenueStripe...

Recent Comments

  • Mojdeh on Chief Rabbi of UK Says It’s ‘Alarming’ That 44% of Muslims Are Anti-Semitic
  • Michael Copeland on New study reveals that Muslim religiosity strongly linked to hatred towards the West
  • Michael Copeland on New study reveals that Muslim religiosity strongly linked to hatred towards the West
  • Westman on New study reveals that Muslim religiosity strongly linked to hatred towards the West
  • gravenimage on Erdogan: ‘Turks must defend the rights of Jerusalem, even with their lives’ for ‘the honor of the Islamic nation’

Popular Categories

dhimmitude Sharia Jihad in the U.S ISIS / Islamic State / ISIL Iran Free Speech

Robert Spencer FaceBook Page

Robert Spencer Twitter

Robert Spencer twitter

Robert Spencer YouTube Channel

Books by Robert Spencer

Jihad Watch® is a registered trademark of Robert Spencer in the United States and/or other countries - Site Developed and Managed by Free Speech Defense

Content copyright Jihad Watch, Jihad Watch claims no credit for any images posted on this site unless otherwise noted. Images on this blog are copyright to their respective owners. If there is an image appearing on this blog that belongs to you and you do not wish for it appear on this site, please E-mail with a link to said image and it will be promptly removed.

Our mailing address is: David Horowitz Freedom Center, P.O. Box 55089, Sherman Oaks, CA 91499-1964

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.