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Dear Hunter,

Imagine that a man who said there should be no freedom of religion for Muslims, that there should be no Mosques in America, and that America is in a religious war that pits America, a "Christian Nation," against Islam was invited to address our men and women in uniform? Well, it's happening.

On Feb 8, retired Lt. Gen. William Boykin has been invited to speak at a prayer breakfast at the Military Academy at West Point. He has said everything I wrote above. We need your help calling on the Army to pull their invite to him.

*JOIN OUR CALL TO THE ARMY TO NOT ENDORSE ISLAMOPHOBIA HERE* [ http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/6676/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=9379 ]

As a Muslim-American who served in Iraq as a Platoon Leader, I find it reprehensible that West Point would invite Lt. Gen. Boykin to speak to Cadets at a Prayer Breakfast when he openly calls for a ban on mosques in America, which are protected under the Constitution, and a host of other disturbing comments about Muslims. While I am typing this, I have a cousin who is on Active Duty in the Marines and is proud of his service. What does this say to him? What does this say to the thousands of Muslim-Americans who are serving in the United States military right now?

Last week, VoteVets.org asked the academy to reconsider. Despite pressure from us and in the press, West Point says they will allow the Lt Gen. Boykin to speak so the Cadets can be exposed to differing views. That is beyond comprehension. Would West Point invite an individual who has denounced Christianity or Judaism the same way General Boykin has done with Islam?

*TELL THE ARMY YOU DON'T SUPPORT THE ENDORSEMENT OF BIGOTRY AGAINST ANY RELIGION HERE* [ http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/6676/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=9379 ]

This isn't just personal. I love the Army. I love the Army's values. I am proud to say I am an Iraq veteran who served in the Army. I respect the General for the time he has spent in the uniform but he does not represent the Army Values that I was taught as a Cadet and Officer. Those values, now more than ever, are crucial. Our counter-insurgency strategy in Afghanistan demands that the military as an institution respect, and not demonize, Islam. The very safety of our men and women in uniform counts on it.

None other than General David Petraeus said so. When an extremist in Florida sought to burn a Koran in a media stunt, General Petraeus accurately stated that the act "would undoubtedly be used by extremists in Afghanistan and around the world to inflame public opinion and incite violence" and that "Such images could, in fact... put our troopers and civilians in jeopardy and undermine our efforts." This is no different. The US Army cannot be seen in any way as an endorser of Lt. Gen. Boykin and his outrageous statements.

So, for our troops, our Constitution, our nation, and the Army values I hold so closely, please click the link above to join me in being heard. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Shahriar A. Chowdhury
Iraq War Veteran
VoteVets.org

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VoteVets.org

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