Fears of anti-Muslim 'backlash'

2009-11-08 23:12

Washington - US army chief of staff George Casey on Sunday warned deadly shootings at Fort Hood could prompt a backlash against Muslim soldiers, undermining diversity needed to fight wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Casey, speaking on CNN television, warned against guessing at the motives of Nidal Malik Hasan, who is alleged to have killed 13 people and wounded dozens more on a murderous rampage at the Texas military base on Thursday.

Casey, a former commander in Iraq, said he was "concerned that this increased speculation could cause a backlash against some of our Muslim soldiers".

It has been suggested that US-born Hasan carried out the shootings as revenge for persecution about his Islamic faith at the hands of his comrades.

"I worry that the speculation could cause something that we don't want to see happen."

There are an estimated 3 500 self-declared Muslims in the US armed forces, although some experts say the true figure is much higher because Muslim soldiers are wary about openly declaring their faith.

The tragedy struck an army that has actively tried to enlist recruits with a knowledge of Middle Eastern languages and culture, to aid its efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"It would be a shame - as great a tragedy as this was, it would be a shame if our diversity became a casualty as well," Casey said.

- AFP