Ibtisam Posted January 23, 2009 A number of Muslim soldiers have been dismissed from the French army for refusing to go to Afghanistan to fight their "Muslim brothers", The Herald can reveal. A military spokesman in Paris confirmed yesterday that disciplinary action, including termination of contracts, was being taken against "a relatively small number" of Muslim personnel. Although French law does not permit the manpower of the armed services to be broken down according to religion, almost every regiment in the army contains immigrants of North African or Arab origin. A spokesman said: "The government chooses to order the military to engage in operations. Individuals within the military do not choose their own missions. Such cases are relatively rare, affecting as few as five soldiers a year. The vast majority of those within the ranks of the army, navy or air force who follow the Islamic faith perform their assigned duties without question." The most recent case involved a Muslim from the French 1st Infantry Regiment, based near Sarrebourg on the Moselle. Having expressed his reluctance to face fellow-Muslims on the battlefield, he was persuaded to follow orders by a Muslim chaplain. But when he reached training for deployment to Afghanistan, he went sick for three weeks and could not be sent. France has 2600 soldiers and airmen serving as part of the NATO mission in Afghanistan and has lost 25 dead so far, including 10 killed in a Taliban ambush last year. A British doctor, who has done two tours of duty in Iraq, has been tried in a London military court and convicted for refusing to make another trip to the battlefield. Only one British serviceman, Flight Lieutenant Malcolm Kendall-Smith, an officer in the RAF, has been punished for conscientious objection since 2003. He was sentenced to eight months in prison two years ago for calling the US-led war an "act of aggression" and refusing to participate any further - an action the British military considered an illegal act of defying a lawful order. A handful of others have been quietly allowed to leave the armed forces, including at least one Muslim. Source: here Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
roobleh Posted January 23, 2009 Ibti, I agree with soldiers who refuse to participate war for ethical reasons. But, conscience based on not to go to war against any muslim regime, for any reason, is not a good ethical decision. The reason to disobey your political/military leaders should be one based on the situation, whether the enemy is your brother or not. Why join an army and swear to defend the interests of the country if you not ready to fight for those interests. Saying that you'll never fight agaisnt any muslim brother, even if they're wrong, is not a good conscience. If you do not agree with the gov't policy, then do not join the army in the first place. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BOB Posted January 23, 2009 Maasha Allah...that's great news indeed...I hope the Somali 'Mercenaries’ in US and UK armies would learn from them and have the decency and above all the courage to say NO. Peace, Love & Unity. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
