Shiite Muslim Marine Fights the War on Terrorism
U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Sajjd H. Rizvi, a fire team leader
with 1st platoon, Company L, 3rd Battalion, 25th Marines, talks to
an Imam outside a Mosque while on patrol during Operation Sword in
Hit, Iraq. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Ken Melton
Blackanthem.com, AL ANBAR, Iraq, September 21, 2005
As a young boy growing up in Pakistan, Lance Cpl. Sajjad H. Rizvi,
witnessed terrorists killing people of his faith and terrorizing
those who wouldn't comply with their way of life.
More than a decade later, with memories of his past weighing heavy
on his mind, Rizvi has dedicated himself to bringing terrorists to
justice as a United States Marine.
Rizvi, a fireteam leader with 1st Platoon, Company L, 3rd
Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, recently participated in
Regimental Combat Team 2's Operation Sword.
"I've always wanted to be a Marine to help people who were
suffering like my people were," said Rizvi who is a Shia Muslim. "I
wanted to be a part of a warrior tradition like those of my
religion."
Rizvi was born in the United States, but his family moved to
Karachi in the southern part of Pakistan when he was 7.
For 10 years, he watched religiously-motivated killings and
discrimination from members of different faith backgrounds.
After graduating from school in Pakistan, he moved back to America
and graduated from Westerville South High School in 1998.
He joined the Marine Corps in 2003 while attending college at
Columbus State University. Soon after, he found out he was
deploying.
"I saw this as a chance to give back to my country (America) and my
religion," said the 25-year-old. "I believe in this mission and I
have no regret about being over here."
As he walks along the streets of Hit and other cities in Iraq, he
passes Mosques he cannot enter due to sensitivity concerns.
Although he understands the rules, he would love to experience
visiting the local holy sites.
"I often tell occupants of the home I'm searching that I'm a Muslim
and it puts them more at ease," Rizvi said.
Rizvi speaks Urdu, a variation of Arabic, and assists the Marines
in operations and is learning how to speak basic Arabic.
Being an Islamic Marine has really helped break down barriers
between people who want to learn more about the Islamic way of
life.
"I joined after the 9/11 tragedy and I was never discriminated
against because of my nationality or religious background like I
had been before," Rizvi said. "Many people have this misconception
that the Muslim community is like what the insurgents portray it
as, which is totally untrue.
"I often explain to many of my fellow Marines the customs and
sayings of other Muslim people so that they can respond in a
respectable manner," he said.
Rizvi's positive experience in the Marine Corps has not been
without tragedy. He has lost several fellow Marines in battles. He
said it reminds him of the slaughter of innocents when he was
younger.
"I saw some of my brothers die, but I continue to fight not only
for them but for my religion," Rizvi said. "Because, through my
actions, I can bring peace between two of the most important things
in my life ... my country and my religion."
By Cpl. Ken Melton
2nd Marine Division
