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Friday, February 22, 2013

Khalid Shabazz, Being Ustadz in the U.S. Military After Denied so officer


Khalid Shabazz is one of five Muslim spiritual leader who served in the U.S. military bases in Europe. Journey man from Alexandria was, until it became a preacher who provide spiritual guidance for U.S. troops in Europe, is quite unique. He was a convert to Islam who diligently study and deepen believed Islam to be ust.

His real name is Michael Barnes, college graduates Jarvis Christian College, embraced Lutheran Christian denominations. Before joining the military, he worked in a leading chain of stores in Baton Rouge to 67 USD per week income.

"At that time, my wife was pregnant with her second child. I had to do something for my life. I went to labor recruitment and eventually joined the military. I went into the artillery. Go to the military is the best thing in my life, "said Shabazz.

As a gunner, Shabazz lives are concerned. Sleep in a very bad condition, disumpahi, yelled at, but that's all it mendewasakannya as humans and the starting point for reviewing his religious life.

One day, Shabazz, who was not entered Islam asks a Muslim soldier on Islamic concepts. Shabazz was blown away by the response of the Muslim warriors and decided to study Islam.

Over the past two years to pursue Islam Shabazz, and in perjalanananya studying Islam, he decided to become a staff in the military. "I entered the military staff college, because I wanted to get out of the artillery," he said.

Within two years of that, Shabazz decided to say two sentences creed and became a Muslim. He also changed the name Michael Barnes to Khalid Shabazz. First test after becoming a Muslim is, when he refused to raise his score to get into Officer Candidate School. Islamic and Shabazz routines perform Friday prayers, the reason for refusal.

Shabazz was very disappointed. He then complained about the problem and intends to enlist the help of a spiritual director who served in the army of Islam. Ustaz encountered even asked Shabazz, Shabazz why not try to be spiritual, if refused entry Officer Candidate School, so he could help people who are facing problems like him.

That was the beginning of the story Shabazz became a spiritual director at the U.S. military service. "I think life is so amazing. If at that time I was allowed to increase my scores to be accepted in officer candidate school, I probably would never have become a spiritual director or ust here, "said Shabazz.

Served as Ustaz in Military

Shabazz then learn the methodology of Al-Quran, Hadith and comparative religion for two and a half years, to be a priest at the Graduate School of Islamic and Social Sciences in Ashburn. He also studied Arabic for two years at the University of Jordan in Amman.

Shabazz officially became a spiritual director in the U.S. military in 1999. He was assigned to various countries to assist the U.S. troops serving in Africa, Bosnia, Kosovo, Poland and the Middle East. He has also been commissioned in the U.S. Navy prison camp, Guantanamo Bay camp in Cuba, as well as to Iraq for 15 months.

While in Iraq, Shabazz toured U.S. military barracks, provide insight into aspects of Islam and Islamic culture to the commanders and soldiers of non-Muslims. "I relayed to the commander of U.S. forces in Iraq, what should and should not be based on the teachings of Islam," he said.

Shabazz said that Muslim soldiers not unlike the soldier who belongs to the other religions. Their ultimate goal is worship. "Every Friday, our prayers. We provide mutual support to each other, trying to create comfort for the pilgrims and make sure if the soldiers were facing problems and difficulties, we are always there for them, "said Shabazz.

In performing its duties, Shabazz admitted spending more time for a non-Muslim soldiers. "I was playing basketball and lifting weights with them. Most of them are close to me and not for spiritual reasons, but to get the guidance, I became their mentor, "said Shabazz.

source: kisahmuallaf.com

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