Very interesting article here about CBS News' report on the incredible number of US military suicides:
"At least 120 Americans who served in the U.S. military killed themselves per week in 2005, CBS News learned in a five-month investigation into veteran suicides. That's 6,256 veteran suicides in one year, in 45 states."
And that's not even counting the tens of thousands affected with psychological disorders such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder leading to depression, domestic violence, and substance abuse.
I immediately thought of Chris Hedges' book "War is a force that gives us meaning", which talks about the psychological toll that war has on its participants.
And then I thought about a point I brought up in a recent post about how Allah (swt) does not love for His slave to embody the mentality of a mujahid - fighting is purely meant to be a temporary necessity, to be discharged as quickly as possible.
War is not only ravaging the innocent families over in Iraq and Afghanistan, but also those families who have foolishly sent their loved ones to fight these unjust invasions.
And if you aren't able to read the Hedges' book, then be sure to read his article in The Nation where he interviewed around 50 soldiers from Iraq, talking about their experiences of war.
Just don’t call it genocide
1 week ago
1 comments:
AA Naeem. Thank you for this post and the one from Nov 6. They are both very insightful and I have thought the same thing. As Muslims, we know that when we do what is against the fitrah of humankind and also violate the hudood of Allah, we surely will be punished. Although I would like to sympathize with these soldiers, indeed I cannot. They each have an individual responsibility to act humanely and to encourage others to do the same. But they don't for the most and so they are tormented for their wrongdoing.
My only sympathies are with those who suffer at the hands of such people that speak with their mouths one thing and do the opposite with their hands. If these soldiers cannot open their hearts to Allah then they will perish by the consequences of their actions.
Post a Comment