Islamic US Soldier Worships with Local Afghans
US Army SPC Stephen Hirt helped “bridge[] the gap between US and Afghanistan Muslims” during his recent combat tour.
After his deployment to Afghanistan in 2008 and 2009, Hirt decided to unite his mosque, the Islamic Institute of Orange County – al Farouk, in Anaheim, Calif., with the Muslim people of Afghanistan during his deployment…
Hirt’s unit was not only supportive, they joined in the effort with funding and official transport:
“I talked with my unit about my idea, and they fully supported me,” said Hirt…
“When we found out about Spc. Hirt taking the initiative to do this project, we wanted to ensure that he knew he had our full support,” said Capt. Todd Tompkins… “We worked toward providing additional supplies and arranged a humanitarian aid drop so it would be a complete effort to show we are here to make life better for the people of Afghanistan.”
“[The unit] bought prayer rugs and religious posters from the Sharana Bazaar to donate to the local mosque in a village west of the city of Sharana,” said Hirt.
Hirt also took time to pray with the locals, which had a unique impression on village elders:
“I had no idea that U.S. Forces had Muslims in it,” said the local village elder who prayed with Hirt. “It’s nice to know that we share the same beliefs as some of the soldiers who are here trying to help us.”
Contrary to some assertions, there are times when religion is not only helpful but is also crucial to the military mission. Religious freedom, too, is protected in the military, as evidenced by the military’s support not only of Hirt’s individual religious exercise, but also his practice with local Afghans of like faith.
Photo caption: U.S. Army Spc. Stephen Hirt…[a] member of the Islamic faith, prays with Afghans at a village mosque west of Forward Operating Base Sharana, Paktika Province, Afghanistan…during a humanitarian aid mission to deliver school and religious supplies donated in part by his mosque in California. (Photo by Spc. Christina Sinders)
Gee, what a nice story. If only all Muslims serving in the U.S. military had that positive of an experience and were in that unprejudiced a unit. But they’re not.
Chris,
You have cases where someone declared their religion to their superiors and were discriminated against? Note I didn’t say ‘felt discriminated,’ I mean discriminated where they have proof that was the reason for the discrimination.
There used to be a stigma that mental health consults ruin careers. That discrimination is unwarranted as 90% of consults stay with mental health, 97% the member recovers fully and is better off for it. I similarities between the perception of religious freedom now and perception of mental health then.
Hirt and I are actually close friends. While every unit has it’s issues, as will happen when you bring people from so many different lifestyles together, the unit is very supportive when it comes to religion. Hirt is a good friend, and his religion doesn’t matter to those of us who are close to him.
Ashley,
Thanks for the first hand report, and thanks for being willing to discuss your positive experiences with the military.
WAY TO GO HIRT!!
Thanks for the discussion. And Ashley, way to defend me in my absence. lol You know me better than most and it made me smile to see your comment.
You would be amazed at what one can do when you simply set your mind to something and go for it. I am currently working on another HA mission with baby bottles and supplies. I just want to say, I would be doing this no matter what the religion of these people were; Christian, Jew, Muslim, Pagan or whatever, we are all brothers and more units us than divides us. To quote my favorite American, “We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory will swell when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature.” – Abraham Lincoln
There are opportunities to do good all around us. A good act is a good act. I’m just glad I could help dispel the negative stigma my Army had and show that we are not fighting Islam. I love showing the world that we Americans are not just focused on self-interest. Me dropping my body army and rifle and voluntarily praying with the local nationals totally defenseless showed great trust and I think they saw that.