In June, two Muslim military Chaplains from France and the United States met in Paris for a religious diversity conference.  The American Chaplain, Lt Commander Abuhena Saifulislam, is a US Navy Chaplain who emigrated from Bangladesh in 1989, becoming a Navy Imam in 1999.  He is endorsed by the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA).  He was reportedly assigned to the Marines, making him the first Muslim Chaplain in the Marine Corps.

Chaplain Saif has a history of involvement in significant events, including being the first Muslim Chaplain in Guantanamo and leading the call to prayer at a Pentagon iftar and one at President Bush’s White House in 2007.

Like many people of faith, the Chaplain’s beliefs are an integral part of his life.  He has said

Islam is not just a religion to Muslims. It is a way of life.

Just as those of other faiths who serve in the US military, the Chaplain intends to demonstrate the consistency of his faith with his profession:

Chaplain Saif…[personifies] the notion that there is nothing incompatible about serving both Islam and the US military.

Being a Muslim and a contributing member of the US military is “not an oxymoron.”

Like all Chaplains, he serves all:

“Ninety-nine percent of the people who come to me for counseling are not Muslim,” he said.  “We, as chaplains, support everybody.  When it comes to personal relationships, marriage, drugs, alcohol, stress or financial problems, religion doesn’t play a role. We provide support, grieving in death, anything,” he said.

“I counsel service members before they go to battle, and the majority of them are non-Muslims.  I counsel equally, in the same fashion.”

Despite other reports of controversy, the Chaplain reported a warm reception as an Imam in the US military:

I have personally been well-received into the military. I have been treated as an equal, and have been able to practice my faith like anyone else. We are allowed to have Friday services during work hours, and I am able to pray during work hours. We have Islamic prayer centers inside military bases that I helped establish.

Also noted at the Religion Clause.