Pakistani-born US Army officer buried with honours

[PakForce Unlimited]

First Lt. Mohsin Naqvi died on Sept. 17, 2008 while on patrol in Afghanistan

R.I.P

According to his father, the attacks of 9/11 affected Mohsin, 26, so strongly, he enlisted in the Army Reserve four days later, against his family's wishes

A US Army honor guard carries the casket of 1st Lt. Mohsin Naqvi, a native of Pakistan, into the al-Fatima Islamic Center in Colonie, N.Y., Monday, Sept. 22, 2008

Imam Hashim Raza leads mourners in prayer during a funeral for Mohsin Naqvi at al-Fatima Islamic Center

The funeral on the first day of autumn started at about 1 p.m., with uniformed Army leaders untying and removing their shoes out of respect for Muslim tradition to walk the casket into the mosque.

Hassan Naqvi mourns beside the coffin of his brother Mohsin Naqvi

'He gave the ultimate sacrifice -- his life -- just for America,' said Mohsin's father Nazar Naqvi

Brigadier Gen. Bill Phillips presented Mohsin's father with medals of honour Mohsin earned. He pressed Mohsin's dog tags into Nazar's palm, then a Combat Infantry Badge, then a Purple Heart and finally a Bronze Star.

[AgNoStIc MuSliM]

RIP.

An honorable soul lost.

[PakForce Unlimited]

Fallen soldier memorialized in upstate NY

Muslim prayers joined American military honors in upstate New York as family, friends and fellow soldiers remembered Mohsin Naqvi, a U.S. Army officer killed in Afghanistan.

About 350 people gathered Monday for a Shia funeral service before his burial with full military honors in a nearby cemetery. Naqvi, who was born in Pakistan and came to the U.S. with his family as a child, was one of four soldiers killed by a roadside bomb while on patrol last week.

An Army honor guard from Fort Drum's 10th Mountain Division carried Naqvi's flag-draped coffin into a prayer hall on the outskirts of Albany, where mourners remembered the 26-year-old, who had been married in the same mosque.

"He was married here a day before he was deployed," said Shakil Virjee, a member of the mosque's board of trustees and a friend of the family.

Naqvi was born in Pakistan and came to America when he was 8 years old. His family settled in the Hudson Valley city of Newburgh, where he grew up and went to school. He became a naturalized U.S. citizen when he was 16.

His wife, Raazia, and her family are from the Albany area, and the Naqvis frequently traveled from Newburgh to worship at the mosque, Virjee said.

Naqvi joined the Army Reserve a few days after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and went on to serve in Iraq. He later re-enlisted for active duty and become a first lieutenant.

During part of his military service, Naqvi was assigned to the Headquarters and Headquarters Company at Fort Benning in Georgia, where he worked under the command of Capt. Carl Purgerson.

"Lt. Naqvi was my (executive officer) for about six months," Purgerson said as he stood outside the mosque Monday. "He made it a joy to come to work, very dedicated and a true patriot to the core."

New York Army National Guard Sgt. 1st Class Eric Hunt also knew Naqvi, though they never served together. They were next door neighbors in Newburgh for years.

"I've known him since he was a teenager," Hunt said, fighting back tears as he spoke.

"Whenever he was home we'd get together and talk about Army stuff. We had that in common," Hunt said. "He was always cracking jokes. We went to his brother Hassan's high school graduation party last year, and he was the life of the party."

Some who knew Naqvi said he hoped his Muslim faith and heritage could help bridge cultural divides, but often struggled against people who questioned his patriotism.

"We were really proud of him joining the forces," said Aziz Ahsan, a Hudson Valley lawyer who survived the attack on the World Trade Center and is active in the area's Muslim community.

"He's the most patriotic person I've known, and he sacrificed his life for all Americans, not just Muslim Americans."

Link: Fallen soldier memorialized in upstate NY -- Newsday.com

[Zameer2]

Originally Posted by AgNoStIc MuSliM

RIP.

An honorable soul lost.

honour is relative thing. if a White American kid raised in Pakistan, gets killed during Pakistan's invasion of another christian country, American's will remember him as a "traitor on a one way ticket to hell"

frankly, there is difference in dying fi sabeel Allah and fi Sabeel Amreeka

Ghulami main badal jaata hay qomon ka zameer.

[S-2]

Rest in peace, soldier. Present arms!

[AgNoStIc MuSliM]

Originally Posted by Zameer2

honour is relative thing. if a White American kid raised in Pakistan, gets killed during Pakistan's invasion of another christian country, American's will remember him as a "traitor on a one way ticket to hell"

frankly, there is difference in dying fi sabeel Allah and fi Sabeel Amreeka

Ghulami main badal jaata hay qomon ka zameer.

He died fighting for his country - thats honorable to me.

His Pakistani roots created the connection with us.

Disagreeing with the US government's policies should not turn into irrational hatred towards all those who live and serve under the stars and stripes.

In any case, its not always about what 'America would do' or how the "Western press' will characterize something - decency and respect for service and sacrifice should be universal. If you think the Americans don't do so, too bad for them, no excuse for us to go down the gutter with them.

[Kasrkin]

He was a 1st Lt, thats an officer. Could have gone high up the ranks...

[Neo]

R.I.P Officer! :salute:

Originally Posted by AgNoStIc MuSliM

He died fighting for his country - thats honorable to me.

His Pakistani roots created the connection with us.

Disagreeing with the US government's policies should not turn into irrational hatred towards all those who live and serve under the stars and stripes.

In any case, its not always about what 'America would do' or how the "Western press' will characterize something - decency and respect for service and sacrifice should be universal. If you think the Americans don't do so, too bad for them, no excuse for us to go down the gutter with them.

Well said mate!

[IceCold]

So those questioning his loyality should now have a look of themselves in the mirror and ask themselves this question was he not patriot just because his birth place was Pakistan or just because he was a muslim.
This is exactly the kind of attitude that had created some serious divide between the two sides. Judging a person by his religon and not character, nothing could be more pathetic then this.

[niaz]

Originally Posted by Zameer2

honour is relative thing. if a White American kid raised in Pakistan, gets killed during Pakistan's invasion of another christian country, American's will remember him as a "traitor on a one way ticket to hell"

frankly, there is difference in dying fi sabeel Allah and fi Sabeel Amreeka

Ghulami main badal jaata hay qomon ka zameer.

Hon Sir,

When I got British nationality, way back in the late 70's. I had to swear an oath that if called for, I and my heirs will have to fight for the United Kingdom. I am sure it is the same in the US. You may call it ghulami, but i call it a payback for the advantages of having a UK or US nationality. It is a free choice but once it is made, you can’t get out.

Regarding a white or a black US kid fighting against America. I would call it treason too. No different than a Pakistani fighting for India? Also if you call fighting for Taliban, Jihad fi Sabeelillah, it is your view and not necessarily correct. IMO Taliban are heretics of the worst kind.

Is there any restriction in the US or UK on the Muslims offering prayers or fasting or going to hajj? In UK and US any Muslim is free to perform all the 5 basic tenets of Islam. So how fighting US is Jihad fi Sabeel illah for a US citizen?

Trouble is the in Pakistan, many misguided nationals have no love for the nation as such and think that by blowing themselves up and killing scores of fellow Pakistani Muslims ala Marriott is Jihad fi sabeel illah. That is why Pakistan is in mess.

"Huay tum dost jiskey dushman uska aasman kyuon ho"

Meaning with friends like these who needs enemies.

[su-47]

Originally Posted by Zameer2

honour is relative thing.

He died for his country, and that is always honorable, regardless of religion. Doesn't it say in every religious book that dying for your country is an honour?

Originally Posted by Zameer2

if a White American kid raised in Pakistan, gets killed during Pakistan's invasion of another christian country, American's will remember him as a "traitor on a one way ticket to hell"

If they believe like that, then its their double standards. The rest of the world will see him as a patriot, if he is a Pakistani citizen.

[RescueRanger]

Regardless of the Politics, may he rest in peace from one former solider to another.

[Zero Bravo]

Originally Posted by Zameer2

honour is relative thing. if a White American kid raised in Pakistan, gets killed during Pakistan's invasion of another christian country, American's will remember him as a "traitor on a one way ticket to hell"

frankly, there is difference in dying fi sabeel Allah and fi Sabeel Amreeka

Ghulami main badal jaata hay qomon ka zameer.

Agreed bro,

One thing which really makes me think; is why all the Muslim soldiers in ISAF belong to Shiite community?

A British Muslim soldier who died in Afghanistan in July 2006 was also a Shiite muslim. Another British soldier belonged to Parachute Regiment whom I met in Helmand last year was a shiite too.

I dont think any sane muslim can raise weapon against his brother for the sake of his career.

[Zero Bravo]

Originally Posted by niaz

Hon Sir,

When I got British nationality, way back in the late 70's. I had to swear an oath that if called for, I and my heirs will have to fight for the United Kingdom. I am sure it is the same in the US. You may call it ghulami, but i call it a payback for the advantages of having a UK or US nationality. It is a free choice but once it is made, you can’t get out.

This really makes him a 'hired killer' then, mate. Native nationality is one thing, secondary nationality is the other thing. Killing own brothers for the country that gives someone nationality in begging is not supposed to be patriotism.

Secondly, the said Pakistani-American soldier was not 'called for' this 'honorable' massacre in Afghanistan, he was a volunteer.

[TOPGUN]

May GOD bless his way to heaven !!!! and may he rest in peace!