Muslim Air Force Chaplain Tends to Afghan Refugees

Most of us marked the end of U.S. military involvement in Afghanistan, relaxing in our homes and, perhaps, watching media coverage. As troops began withdrawing, however, U.S. Air Force Capt. Mir M. Ali was actively on the ground in Ramstein-Miesenbach, Germany, ministering 24/7 to the evacuees. 

Almost overnight, Mir – the only Muslim Armed Forces chaplain serving with Operation Allies Refuge at Ramstein Air Base and throughout Europe – went from tending to the spiritual needs of a small U.S. Air Force community to providing hope to thousands of Afghan refugees living in tents.

Born and raised in an Islamic household, the 2015 graduate of Claremont School of Theology said, “Faith and spirituality were always a part of my identity. Shortly after enlisting in the U.S. Air Force, I discovered the chaplaincy profession. At the time, I was only 20 years old. Once I learned about the educational/theological requirements needed for the profession, I felt overwhelmed. That was perhaps my subtle calling to be a chaplain.” 

Twelve years later, Mir finally acknowledged that he was meant to be a chaplain. “This insight,” he said, “came from struggles of life that I had encountered and feelings of being lost and distant from my religious identity.”

Mir had already been accepted by another seminary when he learned about CST. A newly established program – Master of Divinity in Interfaith Chaplaincy – piqued his interest. “I was also fascinated by the friendliness and helping nature of CST staff from the beginning of my application to the point I started my academic journey and beyond,” he said.

While 9/11 influenced many young adults to join the military, Mir enlisted on Dec. 9, 1999, and completed basic military training on April 29, 2000. He served in Afghanistan in 2008 for seven months. “I was not functioning as a chaplain,” he said, “and my role was very different. Nevertheless, as I reflect on my experience, I am proud to say I feel a sense of accomplishment from my assigned duties and responsibilities.”

Last month, Mir readily accepted his new call: reaching out to the dispossessed refugees.

“I see Afghans like my own brothers, sisters, mother, father, and other relatives,” Mir said. “I am connected to them through faith but also from a cultural point of view. Ethnically, I am Pakistani/Indian, and I share many similarities with them as a result. My heart aches for them, especially the elderly, women, and children. When I see them struggling with a lack of resources that we may take for granted (e.g., warm showers, hot meals, conveyance, accessibility to a variety of foods, autonomy, and so much more), I am greatly saddened for them.” 

“Many also struggle with addiction to tobacco, which at the present moment isn’t on the priority list. I have personally witnessed a number of evacuees struggle with withdrawals. These are some of the toughest moments of my vocation.”

One of his immediate tasks was arranging for the evacuees to pray together five times a day. Mir credited his colleagues at Ramstein with easing the process.

“I must begin by expressing my gratitude to have a commander, chapel staff, and everyone within leadership positions at Ramstein who value, respect and uphold the U.S. Constitution’s First Amendment right,” he said. “I have continually received nothing but outpouring of support to provide five daily calls to prayer (adhan), a place to perform ablution (wudu), and designated sacred spaces (prayer tents) in each section to ensure we respect our guests’ spiritual needs. On top of all this, we also conduct Friday congregational (Jummah) prayers in each section three times every week.”

With much of their future in jeopardy, the refugees find solace in these times of prayer.

“The evacuees are extremely grateful for the ministerial support,” Mir said. “Many have personally thanked us. They are also surprised when I communicate with them in a language that is familiar to them (Urdu/Hindi). I have noticed how language, culture and faith can accelerate the trust-establishment process.”

As many of the guests struggle with being displaced from their families and loved ones, Mir and his team surround them in their moment of grief. “I have personally used verses from the Qur’an that speak to the importance of being patient in the midst of chaos and how the Almighty is aware of all things,” he said. “Faith and belief in the Supreme Being can, oftentimes, lead to a state of calm and provide hope.”

He added, “The greatest gift that I can provide to them is instilling hope through awareness. Afghans are naturally a very resilient and stoic people. Many have witnessed wars and destruction for decades.” 

“I remind them that life has gotten better every step they have taken since being evacuated from Afghanistan. Each layover they’ve had brings about some goodness. Ramstein offers unique gifts that were nonexistent in their prior layovers. Hence, after they depart Germany, most likely their lives will get better at their new (temporary) home before they get to their final destination. This manner of thinking is also consistent with the Qur’anic verse (94:5) in which Allah says: ‘Surely, with every hardship comes ease.’”

Assistance comes from many people and places.

“Numerous agencies here at Ramstein have stepped up and donated goods and services to help this operation directly,” Mir said. One organization is composed of civilian spouses of active-duty military members. “They have personally sewn over a thousand clothes, hijabs, shaylas, prayer mats, among other items specifically for our female guests and their children. This is just one example. Many have also donated prayer rugs, clothes, hijabs, kufis and similar items.”

Throughout his career, Mir has strived to model servitude.

“As a chaplain, an imam and, most importantly, as a human being,” he said, “I have a greater understanding of what it means to serve others. I see the notion of servitude as it relates to my faith but also as it relates to my role in this world. In order for me to serve my God fervently with a righteous heart, I have to also treat all people with dignity and respect.” 

Mir continued, “Allah states in the Qur’an (21:107): ‘We have sent you (O Muhammad) not but as a mercy for all mankind.’ If I am to emulate Prophet Muhammad, I have to ensure I am being merciful through servitude to His creation.”

Mir’s story was also highlighted in a Christian Science Monitor article titled, “For Afghan arrivals, a taste of the US at an air base in Germany” on October 26, 2021.

(Photo Credit: Senior Airman Milton Hamilton)