Photo By Stefanie Mosley | Sgt. Mustaan Lukuman Lamin, 173rd Airborne Brigade, 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry...... read more read more
By Stefanie Mosley, U.S. Army Garrison Italy
VICENZA, Italy – When most Soldiers at U.S. Army Garrison Italy are finishing their lunches, Sgt. Mustaan Lukuman Lamin is readying Caserma Ederle’s Spiritual Life Center for Islamic prayers.
In stocking feet, surrounded by fellow Soldiers and prayer rugs, Lukuman, 26, appears young to be leading religious services. However, he first led Muslims services a decade ago in Ghana, before moving to New York.
He moved to the U.S. in 2017, joined the Army two years later and began leading Islamic groups at Fort Bragg before moving to Vicenza. He’s now a paratrooper with Company C, 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment.
“I’ve always wanted to give back to my community and help in any way I can,” Lukuman said. “One of the most rewarding parts of leading others is seeing young Muslims listen to me and improve their religious life.”
Before prayers, Soldiers are obliged to complete the act of ablution, washing oneself, said Spc. Sheriff Sulay Suliman, a paratrooper with 173rd Airborne Brigade, helping a newcomer to the faith with the process. For Suliman, practicing his faith is more than just daily prayers. It’s the community who understand, support, and guide each other not only in religion, but in life, he said.
Being in the Army can be difficult at times, said Suliman, who is also originally from Ghana. Having the ability to practice his religion helps, he said.
“It gives you that connection with people,” Suliman said. “At the end of the day it brings you peace.”
Lukuman is endorsed as a distinctive religious group leader through the American Muslim Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs Council, said Lt. Col. John Hubbs, the garrison chaplain.
Providing religious services to all denominations is imperative to a chaplain’s mission, Hubbs said. In Vicenza, only Christian chaplains currently serve the community.
“Now, when a Muslim Soldier asks his or her chaplain for religious support, we can do more than just offer a copy of the Quran or give them a phone number to an Imam in Germany,” Hubbs said. “We can get them connected with others who can help them stay spiritually fit.”
| Date Taken: | 02.27.2023 |
| Date Posted: | 02.27.2023 10:48 |
| Story ID: | 439258 |
| Location: | VICENZA, IT |
| Web Views: | 91 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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