: Much Ado About Nothing? “Slap On The Wrist” For Gitmo Chaplain

The arrest a few weeks ago of US Army Chaplain Yousef Yee, the Muslim chaplain serving the inmates at the US naval base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, has been fodder for much media hype. While not charged, the press assumed the worst – that he was part of a secret al-Qaida ring that infiltrated the heart of the US armed forces. Front page headlines were filled with tales of shock from fellow officers, questions were raised regarding the process by which Muslim chaplains are trained, and the word “traitor” was used liberally in descriptions of Yee. After weeks of silence, Army investigators are finally revealing their charges against Yee – minor offenses with a “slap-on-the-wrist punishment. No treason, no sedition, no spying – just general “dereliction of duty” charges. “It’s very weak,” said a military source close to the investigation. “It’s nothing compared to espionage or anything like that.” This news comes as little comfort to US Muslims, as the damage has been done. General mistrust of Muslims in the military running higher than ever, and even if Yee’s name is totally cleared of treason charges, it is unlikely that it will be reported as widely as his arrest was. You can read more about this new turn in Yee’s case on the back page – if you’re lucky – of your local paper.

Shahed Amanullah is editor-in-chief of altmuslim.com.