Ironhorse soldier practices religion but understands responsibilities

CONTINGENCY OPERATING SITE KALSU, IRAQ

08.18.2011

Story by Spc. Bailey Kramer 

1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division

CONTINGENCY OPERATING SITE KALSU, Iraq – Ramadan is the holiest month on the Islamic calendar.

During the month of Ramadan, Muslims all over the globe abstain from food, drink, and other physical needs during the daylight hours as a time to purify their soul, refocus attention to God – better known to the Islamic community, Allah – and to practice self-sacrifice.

This year, Ramadan began Aug. 1. The 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division has multiple soldiers partaking in this holy month.

One soldier, Pfc. Ajmal Zada, a 28-year-old combat engineer, who was born and raised in the country of Pakistan, is among them.

At the age of 24, Zada journeyed to the United States on a student visa, with the intention of completing his degree as a civil engineer, and returning home. While attending the City University of New York, he realized that he had grown fond of the country and decided to stay.

Zada's decision to stay in the United States is what led him to enlist as a soldier into the Army.

“When I first joined the military, I was scared that I was not going to be allowed to practice my religion,” Zada explained, describing his initial fear of enlisting. “But my chain of command and the chaplains have all been very helpful and supportive, and I have had no problems.”

Zada enlisted in October of 2009, but did not leave for his one station unit training until four months later.

After completing his college semester, Zada shipped to Fort Leonardwood, Mo., for his combat engineer training.

“My dad is a retired police officer in Pakistan and he is really supportive of my decision,” Zada explained his parents feelings on his enlistment. “My mother is just as supportive, but worries about me.”

Upon graduating from OSUT, Zada received orders for Company C, 1st Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division located at Fort Hood, Texas.

The Ironhorse Brigade is currently deployed to the southern region of Iraq, in a city known as Iskandariya, 20 miles south of Baghdad.
Although Zada is deployed during the month of Ramadan, he knows that he still has a job to do.

“My duty comes first,” Zada says about the interference of his deployment and Ramadan. “And serving my country is my duty. I knew this when I signed the dotted line.”

Not only does Zada know what his responsibilities are, but it does not go unnoticed.

“Zada has a lot of character,” complimented Zada's previous team leader, Sgt. Michael Lawson. “He fasts during the day but still does his soldier duties. He could complain about how he has no energy from fasting, but he does not. It shows he has a lot of character. He is a good dude.”

• Date Taken: 08.18.2011
• Date Posted: 08.18.2011 07:36
• Story ID: 75536
• Location: CONTINGENCY OPERATING SITE KALSU, IQ