Truman Celebrates Ramadan, Promotes Diverse Religions

ARABIAN SEA, AT SEA

09.09.2010

Courtesy Story

U.S. Naval Forces Central Command / U.S. 5th Fleet           

By Petty Officer 3rd Class Jonnie Hobby

ARABIAN SEA - Muslim crew members aboard USS Harry S. Truman marked the end of a month-long fast and the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, Sept. 9.

To fulfill one of the five pillars of Islam, Muslims must abstain from consuming any form of sustenance from dawn until dusk while observing Ramadan.

"We fast for 29 or 30 consecutive days, depending on the sighting of the new moon," said Petty Officer 1st Class Abdoulie Jallow, aviation boatswain's mate [handling], the Muslim lay leader aboard Harry S. Truman. "Fasting is a form of Ibadah, which means worship and obedience of Allah. It gives us a greater spiritual understanding and rejuvenates our faith by showing us virtues of compassion for the poor and the needy."

Department of the Navy policy directs that sailors and Marines have the right to practice any religion as long as it does not have an adverse impact on the command's health, safety or mission-readiness.

"Whatever a person's religious background, the Navy's policy is to accommodate that person's religious needs," said Cmdr. Jerome Hinson, Harry S. Truman command chaplain. "We are able to arrange meals for them before sunrise and after sunset. Depending on their work schedules, we accommodate their needs as much as we can."

Harry S. Truman's Muslim community is grateful that they are able to freely attend prayer services, as well as observe Ramadan while on board, said Petty Officer 3rd Class Eli Conroe, electronics technician, a Muslim sailor who works in the Combat Systems department.

"When I was in elementary school, my teachers told me that Americans have a freedom of religion," Conroe said. "I believe it's also our right as human beings. When I joined the Navy and knew they supported every religion, it gave me a greater sense of pride to be able to serve my country."

The Muslim culture celebrates the end of Ramadan with a feast called Eid-Ul-Fitr. Harry S. Truman sailors who recently observed Ramadan plan to celebrate Eid during the ship's scheduled port visit to Jebel Ali, U.A.E.

"It's a great experience to be able to practice my religion here," said Petty Officer 2nd Class Jason Jenkins, aviation ordnanceman, a Muslim sailor from Strike Fighter Squadron 32. "It really shows the commitment the Navy has in allowing us to practice our faith and that we are supported by everybody."

Previously stationed aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt, Jallow said he was able take part in a joint-service training mission to Mecca to fulfill Hajj, another Pillar of Islam. As a trainee in the Islamic traditions and faith, Jallow said he was humbled and honored that his career as a sailor enabled him to fulfill a major part of his religion.

"Islam is my way of life, just as much as the Navy is," Jallow said. "The fact that we can practice our religion freely and serve our nation at the same time speaks volumes about our nation's policy on religious tolerance. From the entire upper chain of command to the most junior enlistee to the cooks providing us with food during Ramadan-everyone has supported us 100 percent."

• Date Taken: 09.09.2010
• Date Posted: 09.11.2010 06:29
• Story ID: 56080
• Location: ARABIAN SEA, AT SEA