Islamic group wants US Muslim soldier quitting over Afghan war-God mismatch punished

Washington, Sept 4 (ANI): The American Islamic Forum for Democracy (AIFD) has asked the U.S. Army to deny Muslim soldier, Naser Abdo's request for conscientious objector status, accusing him of 'treason' and urging the military to punish him to the full extent of the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

Abdo, from Texas who joined the U.S. Army last year, has said that he wants to leave the military, claiming he is a conscientious objector because Islam is a peaceful religion and his God does "not give legitimacy to the war" in Afghanistan, Iraq or elsewhere.

AIFD, however, has insisted that Abdo's claim is "patently false," and is a cowardly attempt to use his faith to make a political statement.

"Muslims serve with distinction throughout the United States Military and AIFD sees Abdo's traitorous public assertions as a slap in the face to all American Muslims especially those Muslims who fight in our armed forces for the liberty and freedom guaranteed by the American Constitution," Fox News quoted a statement of the group, as saying.

Dr. M. Zuhdi Jasser, president of AIFD said that Abdo's actions are an affront to every American Muslim who has proudly donned a U.S. military uniform.

"His assertions are not built on Islamic teachings but on a feeble adherence to the global political ideology of Islamism that threatens our security and radicalises our Muslim youth," he added. he group has also urged other American Muslim organizations to clarify that no loyal American Muslim should ever seek CO status. (ANI)