Muslims Mourn American Dead on Memorial Day

It is in this context that we can understand better Sec. Powell's defense of American Muslims. The loyalty and patriotism of Americans Muslims is constantly in question following the attacks of 9/11. Rather than seeing American Muslims as valued contributors to a more healthy and stronger America, Americans that are unfamiliar with Islam, view Muslims as a fifth column population that should be monitored and at worst, shipped off or interned.

So it is through a security prism that many view the enfranchisement of American social citizenship. And by many, we do not only mean Americans that are not Muslim, but American Muslims as well.

Many American Muslims view the U.S. through the lens of foreign policy. Because the majority of American invasions have occurred in the past 20 years in Muslim-majority countries, many see "America" as force for destruction and death motivated by malevolent intentions.

They view participation in the American military as a way of aiding a war-bent country that kills fellow Muslims and plunders local resources.

But not all American Muslims see it this way. There are many Muslims who see a broader picture of America, a messy America that is good and bad in the same moment, true to its highest and noblest ideals while violating them in the same moment.

They see the defense of America not as a predatory and traitorous action meant to facilitate greater domination and killing in the name of liberation, but as a high calling in which they are protecting America's values and beliefs and they incredible opportunities it has afforded so many Americans, no matter their ethnicity, religion or skin color.

And Corp. Khan is the best example.

His father told reporters after he was mentioned on Meet the Press that "His Muslim faith did not make him not want to go. It never stopped him." Corp. Khan's father continued, "He looked at it that he's American and he has a job to do."

Find Corp. Khan's grave in Arlington National Cemetery

Jordan Robinson is a media associate at One Nation Foundation.