American Muslim Armed Forces and Veteran Affairs Council

Our beloved, Imam Warith Deen Mohammed affectionately known as “Brother Imam” passed away Tuesday morning, on the 9th day of Ramadhan in the year of 1429 Hijra. He was at the forefront of many efforts including the establishment of the Islamic Chaplaincy within the Department of Defense and religious accommodations for Muslims in the US Armed Forces.

The Muslim Military Members (MMM) arranged a visit on February 5, 1992 for him to tour the Pentagon and address Defense officials, Chaplains, and other Military personnel. This was but one of countless events that Brother Imam participated in respect to Muslims in the US Armed Forces.
Whether a Muslim Military Member or the leadership of the American Muslim Armed Forces and Veteran Affairs Council, his office door was always open. Brother Imam leaves behind a quiet legacy of gigantic proportions in the footsteps of greats like Thomas Jefferson, Dr. Martin Luther King, and Pope John Paul II.

As a mark of respect for the Imam we are asking President Bush to order that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half staff at the White House and on all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until sunset on Friday, September 12, 2008.
President Bush ordered similar recognition to honor Pope John Paul II on April 2, 2005.

From the Civil War to the battlefield of Desert Storm, and Enduring Freedom Muslims have served with Honor, Courage and Commitment in the United States Armed Forces. The population of Muslims in the military has significantly increased within every branch of the Armed Forces over the past several years. By even the lowest estimates, there are currently more than 20,000 Muslim in the US Armed Forces and these figures are constantly increasing. Some individuals join the military as Muslims. Most however, convert to Islam while serving their country. Yet, there has been no exclusively American Muslim organization whose sole mission is focused on meeting the spiritual needs of and religious well-being of the Muslim community within the American Armed Forces.

Vision
To be the premier leader for Islamic accessions and guidance within the United States Armed Forces and Veterans Administration through the endorsement of religiously qualified Islamic Chaplains and Lay Leaders, responsible for serving Active Duty installations world wide and Veterans Administration medical centers, providing a full range of religious support services to the Muslim population serving our Nation.
 
Mission
 
Respond:  Insha’Allah always to the religious needs and spiritual well being of Muslim military personnel, and their dependents, who are active, reserve and veteran members of the United States Armed Forces.