Originally published in Oakland Daily Press
As an American, I take many things for granted — freedom being the most important. As an Ahmadi Muslim, it is my duty to honor, respect, and be grateful to those veterans that have sacrificed so much so that I may enjoy the freedoms they protect.
This is my duty because the Prophet Muhammad teaches Muslims that, “Love for one’s homeland, is a part of faith.”
I, along with the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association, pledge to always be ready to “sacrifice our lives, wealth, time, and honor for the sake of our faith, country, and nation.” So this Veteran’s Day, I thank all our veterans for my freedoms. God bless our veterans, and God bless the United States of America.