It is the position of the American Muslim Armed Forces and Veteran Affairs Council that Franklin Graham has the right to express his faith and beliefs. There are men and women of our Armed Forces serving today who believe in the message of Franklin Graham. Disallowing Franklin Graham to express his faith is in stark contrast to the very rights that those men and women believe in.
The United States Solider takes an oath that states, “I swear to support and defend the constitution of the United States…so help me God.” This is not an oath that is taken lightly. Our men and women of the Uniformed Services around the Globe, regardless of their specific faith fight to protect the rights embodied in the Constitution, rights such as the Freedom of Religion.
Franklin Graham should be given the opportunity to pray just as Muslim Americans should and are given the opportunity to pray. It is what we all hold dear to our hearts and is embodied in the US Constitution. It is what the Holy Qur'an expresses when God almighty says “Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from Error: whoever rejects evil and believes in Allah hath grasped the most trustworthy hand-hold, that never breaks. And Allah (God) heareth and knoweth all things (Qur’an 2:256).”
Franklin Graham doesn’t think highly of Islam, but that is his position and we pray that Almighty God opens his heart. Muslims believe highly of Christianity, and Jesus (Peace be upon him). “Those who believe (in the Qur'an), those who follow the Jewish (scriptures), and the Sabians and the Christians,- any who believe in Allah (God) and the Last Day, and work righteousness,- on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve (Qur’an 5:69).”
Franklin Graham’s message may be one that brings discord and strikes against good order and discipline, but it is still a message that some followers of his agree with. Regardless, we want it to be clear, that Franklin Graham, we may not like the words you speak, but what is worse than that is you not having the opportunity to speak them at all.
For additional information, please contact Deputy Director, Abdul Rashid Abdullah.
