An official Army.mil article introduces Army Spc Mikail Lawal, a Muslim soldier (pictured below, reading the Koran) who is living out his faith and considering a career as a Chaplain.

DoD Photo (Sgt Ben Hutto)

His current job is essentially a customer service representative at a FOB in Iraq, making sure passengers get on the correct helicopter.  He goes out of his way to be respectful and helpful, a spirit attributed to his “deep faith in Islam.”

In explaining why he wanted to become a Chaplain, he said:

“There are a small number of Muslim chaplains,” he said. “There are a lot of wrong misconceptions about the faith. It is a very noble faith. It requires a person to put everything in the hands of their creator. It requires total submission to the will of God. It is not what many people think.”

He currently leads an Islamic service with a congregation of American Soldiers, TCNs, and contractors.  The unassuming and gentle-speaking Soldier conveys an attitude of caring for his fellow man.  Sometimes, he seems to say, all you need is company:

To be in the presence of godly people makes someone stronger.

While Lawal’s amiable spirit makes his job that much easier, it is notable that he leads a religious service of his choosing (in the apparent absence of a military Chaplain), with a congregation of people of varying nationalities and affiliations–military and civilian, American and foreign national.  He even has the freedom to be photographed in uniform reading a religious text (the Koran).  These are all excellent indicators of the religious freedom and spiritual support structure provided within the US military for any religious belief.

Even in a combat area and separated from many support resources, the military both allows and accommodates the free exercise of religion.