Fort Hood, Texas Military Base Shooting

[KarimaG 2]

I havent seen a thread on this... but had heard some different thoughts from different people. Im wondering what some vjers thoughts are. Not sure of exactly how the whole story goes however but Fort Hood has had its issues over the years with various other shootings. I wonder at times, how situations like this affects the visas for other petitioners. I was talking to my mother today, who is completely against my relationship with my fiance, and she mentioned the shooting to me. She said that muslims come here for 'that purpose'! That if they are strongly rooted in they're religion, then thats what s ingrained in them to do. I told her I disagreed and Islam does not condone or arrpove of violence of that sort. I said she should read about Islam and learn for herself what Islam means. She said there are people out there to do that for us and inform us. I asked her if she sat in church and listened to her preacher and believed wrong and right he told her and the congregation or does she pick up the bible and read it for herself? She said thats different! She said "I HAVE read the bible". I told her then to read about Islam and the Quran. That we should not always believe the words of others, but research and learn for ourselves. Well, I guess you can imagine where that went after I said that. But before the conversation went south, I told her we should also understand both sides. By understanding both side we can prevent things like this happening in the future. In other words like asking ourselves and them "why did this happen?" In school shootings, the kids had there motives too... why did they feel compelled to do such an act? Could it have been prevented? I was told by a friend of mine that this soldier was one the receiving end of being antagonized about being in a unit and being muslim too. Also it was mentioned that he was told he was going to have to go to Iraq and fight and he did not want to and requested to withdrawl from the military and they refused his request. So certain things along the way could have added to the pressure that he was feeling and the end result was the shooting. But in the end, both sides lost, no one won. I wonder if there will ever be acceptance of other religions, tolerance, peace. I feel bad for all parties involved, and I feel bad at the effects this will have on other people. My mother told me the other day that when my fiance came here, that he should change his name, so people dont know where he is from. I told her that was the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard of, and I would not tolerate her or anyone calling him by a different name. He is who he is and I love him for who he is. Not sure where Im going with this... but wondering what the thoughts are of others and how do you think this will effect future visas? How is this effecting your family? Is your family more or less accepting now of your relationship? My fiance doesnt have a violent bone in his body... but because he is muslim, my family thinks I am being naive and telling me that he is not showing his true nature to me. Dang it gets old. So how is everyone else doing with all this?

I havent seen a thread on this... but had heard some different thoughts from different people. Im wondering what some vjers thoughts are. Not sure of exactly how the whole story goes however but Fort Hood has had its issues over the years with various other shootings. I wonder at times, how situations like this affects the visas for other petitioners. I was talking to my mother today, who is completely against my relationship with my fiance, and she mentioned the shooting to me. She said that muslims come here for 'that purpose'! That if they are strongly rooted in they're religion, then thats what s ingrained in them to do. I told her I disagreed and Islam does not condone or arrpove of violence of that sort. I said she should read about Islam and learn for herself what Islam means. She said there are people out there to do that for us and inform us. I asked her if she sat in church and listened to her preacher and believed wrong and right he told her and the congregation or does she pick up the bible and read it for herself? She said thats different! She said "I HAVE read the bible". I told her then to read about Islam and the Quran. That we should not always believe the words of others, but research and learn for ourselves. Well, I guess you can imagine where that went after I said that. But before the conversation went south, I told her we should also understand both sides. By understanding both side we can prevent things like this happening in the future. In other words like asking ourselves and them "why did this happen?" In school shootings, the kids had there motives too... why did they feel compelled to do such an act? Could it have been prevented? I was told by a friend of mine that this soldier was one the receiving end of being antagonized about being in a unit and being muslim too. Also it was mentioned that he was told he was going to have to go to Iraq and fight and he did not want to and requested to withdrawl from the military and they refused his request. So certain things along the way could have added to the pressure that he was feeling and the end result was the shooting. But in the end, both sides lost, no one won. I wonder if there will ever be acceptance of other religions, tolerance, peace. I feel bad for all parties involved, and I feel bad at the effects this will have on other people. My mother told me the other day that when my fiance came here, that he should change his name, so people dont know where he is from. I told her that was the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard of, and I would not tolerate her or anyone calling him by a different name. He is who he is and I love him for who he is. Not sure where Im going with this... but wondering what the thoughts are of others and how do you think this will effect future visas? How is this effecting your family? Is your family more or less accepting now of your relationship? My fiance doesnt have a violent bone in his body... but because he is muslim, my family thinks I am being naive and telling me that he is not showing his true nature to me. Dang it gets old. So how is everyone else doing with all this?

Guess there are other topics on it... after I clicks 'post' a few 'recent topics' popped up at the bottom... hummm

[Henna Rose 0]

Wow !!! Can of worms officially opened My only thoughts about this right now are for the innocent victims (one of whom was a pregnant female soldier) not about how this may affect someone's visa !!

Our brave warriors should never have to worry about being killed by their own brothers in service on American soil, may they rest in peace

POW ~ MIA You are not forgotten !!

[Nagishkaw 510]

Wow !!! Can of worms officially opened blink.gif My only thoughts about this right now are for the innocent victims (one of whom was a pregnant female soldier) not about how this may affect someone's visa !!

Our brave warriors should never have to worry about being killed by their own brothers in service on American soil, may they rest in peace rose.gif

POW ~ MIA heart.gif You are not forgotten !!

Amen Sister M. Very well said. Now pass the ...it's showtime.

[Henna Rose 0]

I've got my popcorn Nagi My father (RIP) and brother served

[Nagishkaw 510]

My father, as well.

[AlHayatZween 2]

It is just tragic any way you look at it...

[Henna Rose 0]

Here's a great organization that I support Soldier's Angels

We can share some Holiday Cheer from USA with our dedicated men and women in uniform this season

[Safiya&Samir 0]

You cannot deny that events like this have an effect on how people see you.

I am Muslim and wear hijab (obviously) and anytime there is anything in the news about Muslims, I don't like to go out. It doesn't denigrate or somehow deny the sadness of what happened or respect for who died to say it is painful for me to be called "terrorist" when I'm out shopping with my son.

By the way, I'm also a veteran so flame away if you choose.

[Ban Hammer 13,548]

By the way, I'm also a veteran so flame away if you choose.

we'll have no flames around here.

[Sofiyya 1,687]

You cannot deny that events like this have an effect on how people see you.

I am Muslim and wear hijab (obviously) and anytime there is anything in the news about Muslims, I don't like to go out. It doesn't denigrate or somehow deny the sadness of what happened or respect for who died to say it is painful for me to be called "terrorist" when I'm out shopping with my son.

By the way, I'm also a veteran so flame away if you choose.

Thank you for your service, sister. My dad, two of my brothers, and one of my sons are also vets.

[~PalmTreeGurl~ 154]

What I want to add is that not only did the 13 loose their life, but over 30 others were SHOT. Nearly 50 people had their and their families lives changed forever. That is a tragedy. Its not about peoples visas, or what religion any of us are... its all about the lives lost, and the lives now changed forever.

[Henna Rose 0]

What I want to add is that not only did the 13 loose their life, but over 30 others were SHOT. Nearly 50 people had their and their families lives changed forever. That is a tragedy. Its not about peoples visas, or what religion any of us are... its all about the lives lost, and the lives now changed forever.

Yes, Tamara ! 14 souls lost including the fetus growing inside the 21 yo female soldier So sad and senseless !!

[Safiya&Samir 0]

Things don't happen in a vacuum. Actions like this have ripples that spread out and keep going. Maybe you've never been affected by worldwide happenings, so perhaps you have a difficult time understanding this from a different perspective. It may be primarily about the people who died or their families, but it's not only about them. If it were then all the people exploiting this to make a political point should be incredibly, incredibly ashamed of themselves.

I think there are only two categories to split opinions on this issue into (and from there other subcategories) 1) Let's not talk about this incident at all, unless it's to say RIP, or 2) Let's talk about this, it's ramifications, causes, implications, etc.

For me, the anti-Muslim reaction to what happened doesn't really offend me that much, so long as they don't make blanket statements, like "Islam itself is the cause of this, or "Don't let any Muslims in the country (or the military)" Or "Let's bring back internment camps." There *are* a group of Muslims in America that don't like it very much, and they can be dangerous. We need to find solutions, and we need to listen to each other, we need to talk about what all of this means, or we are just going back to our corners and waiting for another tragedy to happen.

Does it also offend you when you see any article or posting about what happened that isn't directly, primarily, and almost entirely a tribute to the victims?

[Henna Rose 0]

Does it also offend you when you see any article or posting about what happened that isn't directly, primarily, and almost entirely a tribute to the victims?

Yes it does ! This is disturbing on so many levels. It has less to do with religion and more about the extensive posting by the OP regarding the affects this may have on immigration visas and that is what I was responding to. I was married to a Muslim and do understand worldviews. I never mentioned religion, although I knew it would be brought up as this is such a hot topic and very unfortunate, sad "incident" (is that the pc term?)

[zahrasalem 114]

Things don't happen in a vacuum. Actions like this have ripples that spread out and keep going. Maybe you've never been affected by worldwide happenings, so perhaps you have a difficult time understanding this from a different perspective. It may be primarily about the people who died or their families, but it's not only about them. If it were then all the people exploiting this to make a political point should be incredibly, incredibly ashamed of themselves.

I think there are only two categories to split opinions on this issue into (and from there other subcategories) 1) Let's not talk about this incident at all, unless it's to say RIP, or 2) Let's talk about this, it's ramifications, causes, implications, etc.

For me, the anti-Muslim reaction to what happened doesn't really offend me that much, so long as they don't make blanket statements, like "Islam itself is the cause of this, or "Don't let any Muslims in the country (or the military)" Or "Let's bring back internment camps." There *are* a group of Muslims in America that don't like it very much, and they can be dangerous. We need to find solutions, and we need to listen to each other, we need to talk about what all of this means, or we are just going back to our corners and waiting for another tragedy to happen.

Does it also offend you when you see any article or posting about what happened that isn't directly, primarily, and almost entirely a tribute to the victims?

I'm with you..... I'm a muslima, wear hijab and I'm a veteran also, U.S. Air Force.

Of course, I'm very sorry about for the people who were directly involved and their families.

Those of us who are Muslim veterans for sure have a unique perspective and experience that most people might not understand. I agree with you about the ripple effect. When I was at work the night of the shooting, many friends were very concerned about me driving home that night alone. I live in California where I've never been worried about going out with hijab...........most people are very nice to me. Only occasionally do I get a wierd or dirty look. And I do have to be careful when I go out for my 5 year old daughter. But ultimately, Allah is in control of all things.

So while it might sound insensitive to think about anything other than the victims and their families in these situations, there is definitely a ripple effect on Muslims in the U.S. Nobody can deny that fact. I don't feel bad or selfish about being extra concerned about my and my families safety in public after a situation like this . It's necessary and a normal human reaction.

And the whole world knows that Sept. 11th did have a huge effect on the visa/immigration process. It did have a future ripple effect on good, innocent people and their families wanting to immigrate here. That's just a fact, and it's not selfish to think about it and how it may effect your personal immigration situation.