((PKG))  MUSLIM  MARINE     

((Banner:  Through Faith…))
((Reporter:  Niala Mohammad))
((Camera:  Imron Jadoon))
((Adapted by:  Zdenko Novacki))
((Map:  Baltimore, Maryland))
((Banner: A group of Muslim Marines and military veterans have joined forces to foster understanding.))
((MANSOOR SHAMS, US MARINE VETERAN))
29 veterans are being selected across the country to come in and spend a night at the home of a Muslim.
((NATS))
((MANSOOR SHAMS, US MARINE VETERAN))
So, we believe that if veterans take the lead, they go and spend a night at house of a Muslim, what we’ll have is other people watching them and hopefully saying, “I can do this too”.
((LT. COL. SCOTT COOPER, US MARINE)) 
I was reminded of the hospitality of people of Islamic faith, but also how welcoming they were to their traditions and their rituals.  Them allowing me to participate in their worship of their god was amazing.
((MANSOOR SHAMS, US MARINE VETERAN))
Muslims have been a part of the American fabric for well over 200 years.  A lot of people may not know that but that’s actually true.  So, they’ve been serving in Armed Forces.  They’ve died for this nation.
((LT. COL. SCOTT COOPER, US MARINE)) 
I have probably had more interaction with Muslims overseas than I have in America.  You know, only 62 percent of Americans have met Muslims.  And I don’t come into contact with them daily.
((MANSOOR SHAMS, US MARINE VETERAN))
On top of it, hate crimes have increased, and this is according to not my word but the FBI.  So, we have found that it is important to go out and start being proactive in reaching out to people who have not met someone who looks like myself. 

((NATS))
((LT. COL. SCOTT COOPER, US MARINE))  
I’m terribly worried about the state of our country and this is an opportunity to use my platform as a veteran to try to be a bit of a civilizing force that we so desperately need today.  I hope this is the start of something that we are able to have conversations, that we are able to reach out, maybe get out of our comfort zone.  There is a number of veterans that I have reached out to.  And they were suspicious at first and they said, “You know, I need to get out of my recliner.  I need to get to know somebody who doesn’t look like me.”  I hope it continues.
((MANSOOR SHAMS, US MARINE VETERAN))
One of the main things that we are trying to achieve is really just become a unifying voice in America.  I think that our country is increasingly divided.  This is just dangerous, I would say, for the nation.  So, my job, when I see my country hurting, my country bleeding, my service doesn’t stop once I take off the uniform.