An American Muslim Marine
Once in a while a story comes my way that appeals to me because of its traumatic nature and also because of the subsequent healing.
Affraz Mohammed was introduced to me by my colleagues at Soldier’s Heart, the organization where I have volunteered for the past ten years. He has been interviewed, and scrutinized by the media extensively in New Jersey.
Affraz is a former US Marine living with PTSD. It was not caused by experiences in a combat zone. He was born in Trinidad and came to Newark, NJ when he was 5 years old. He is an American Muslim who grew up in a very rough neighborhood and witnessed a lot of violence with his 12 siblings. He said that he just wanted to make it out of the ghetto and make something of himself, so he joined the Marine Corps. He excelled during his military career and was chosen to serve as a protector for diplomats during the inauguration of President Bush. In August 2002, his life changed forever.
According to a NBC news report, Affraz was charged in a weapons case and accused of being a terrorist. The NBC news report also indicated that, “Muslims have a long, proud history of fighting for the United States. They’ve served in the U. S. military since its infancy, historians say. But only recently has their participation come under such intense public spotlight.”
After incarceration, extensive physical and emotional abuse by United States government agents, Affraz was acquitted in a court-martial and given an honorable discharge. The experience deeply traumatized him.
Stephen Downs, an attorney from Selkirk, New York, has defended Muslim clients throughout the country. He states, “Affraz’s story is unfortunately what Muslim Americans are confronted with today. They are surveilled, profiled, presumed guilty and entrapped based on false stereotypes. It is devastating to them and their families even when they are eventually cleared, but all too often they are wrongfully convicted. I know of hundreds of such cases.”
After his honorable discharge, Affraz was granted 100% permanent and total disability due to PTSD. He said, “My life began falling apart. My family distanced themselves from me, and my wife and I divorced, leaving her with our two young children. I was determined to get help and hopefully rebuild my life.”
After several attempts at getting help and experiencing rejection, fear, and disbelief of his story, he found help at the East Orange VA. “In 2012, the therapist that was as- signed to me truly listened to me and gave me the benefit of the doubt. The fact that he believed me meant more to me than I could put into words. He helped me to understand that God has a bigger purpose for my life and works in mysterious ways.”
Affraz’s therapist, Dan Pitzer, said, “Affraz has been focusing on following through on taking care of himself and helping others. This has taken the form of following up properly with different incidents of discrimination but also being involved with his kids’ school. He has also been helping other veterans who need rides to appointments, shopping, as well as snow shoveling. Overall he is beginning to live a meaningful life.”
Affraz Mohammed concluded our interview with this statement. “I continue to deal with Anti-Muslim discrimination every day of my life, but I now have the tools to cope and make a difference in the lives of others. I am determined to send this positive message to other vets who feel alone, and other Muslims who feel singled out that there is hope, and acting out with violence is not the answer. Resilience, determination, and trust in accepting help can help change your life.”