Lt. j.g. Asif Balbale, the only Muslim chaplain among 60 members of the clergy at Camp Pendleton and one of only four Muslims in the entire U.S. Navy chaplain corps, which numbers more than 680, says his experience as a chaplain on the Marine base these last few months has been a very positive one.
"There have been some challenging moments, but in general it hasn't been difficult at all, it has been very rewarding," he says. "The people here have been very welcoming. There is this perception that the military somehow have prejudices, but to be honest I see more prejudice outside the fence than inside the base."
In 2004, Balbale, who is of Indian descent but was born and raised in Kuwait, enlisted in the U.S. Navy at the rank of fireman, the equivalent to seaman, and spent three years as a machinist mate. He became a U.S. citizen in 2005.
'My intention was to come to the U.S. for college and go back to Kuwait, but 9/11 changed everything,' says Balbale. 'I wanted to do my part to prove that Muslims are not all terrorists. I clearly remember that day (9/11), I was in my living room, watching as the second plane hit the tower. I was in state of shock. I wondered, 'What is going to happen next, what will it like to be Muslim from this point on?' It was a different feeling. But as a nation, America has the ability to evolve from this. And I think we have evolved the last nine years."
The terrorist attacks over the years have cast a negative light on all Muslims, says Balbale, who was determined to not let his faith negatively affect his military career. In 2007 he entered the Chaplain Candidate Program and became an officer. Since then he has received a Master of Arts degree in Spiritual Care and Pastoral Counseling. Balbale's confidence to become an Islamic leader in the military came after meeting the Department of the Navy's first Muslim chaplain while stationed aboard the USS Boxer.
Balbale says there are approximately 200 Muslims at Camp Pendleton. Butlike all chaplains, he deals not only with them, but with all Marines. 'I'm here for everyone, whatever they need from marital counseling to explaining things about my faith, which they should understand because of where we are fighting," he says. 'I tell people on the base every day that we are not at war with Islam,we are at war with people with evil intentions. But mainly, a chaplain needs to have understanding. The majority of people who come to see me are non-Muslims. I'm here to take care of all of them. Most Marines don't care what religion I follow, they just want my assistance."
As for the recent heated debate about the proposed mosque and Islamic center being built near Ground Zero, Balbale has mixed feelings.
"As a commissioned officer in the United States military and someone who has sworn my allegiance to the Constitution, I believe it is anyone's right to build whatever they want wherever they want," he says. "But at same time, I claim to be part of a faith that promotes peace and harmony, and I wonder how the building of the center at that location benefits the community at large. I'm a bit skeptical about the whole thing. I know it is their right, but I feel they are disregarding the welfare of society as a whole."
He says that today is the last day of Ramadan, and tomorrow he and his fellow Muslims will celebrate, which is a tradition of the religion. "The timing is unfortunate, since this year the end of Ramadan falls so close to the anniversary of 9/11," he says. "I fear that some in the community will think we are being disrespectful. The anniversary of 9/11 is a somber time. But it is part of my faith to celebrate the end of Ramadan. I hope people will understand.
Balbale, who is married and has two small children,is "very proud" to be a U.S. citizen, proud to be in the Navy, and proud to be working with Marines. He says there is no place he'd rather be than in the U.S. military. "I'd like to stay for as long as they want to keep me," he says.
