New awakening for Graham

Navy Lieutenant Commander Scott Graham is tall and muscular with light blue eyes and fair skin.

Although born to American-Italian and Turkish parents, he looks more Anglo-Teutonic than Mediterranean. Dressed in US Navy combat fatigues, it’s an appearance that in many ways belies his religion.
Lt Cmdr Graham is one of a handful of Muslims based in Bahrain and serving in the US Navy, and, one of only 749 Muslims serving overall.
He prays everyday, fasts through Ramadan and has served as an Islamic lay leader on three different ships.
Islam was a religion he chose, just as joining the Navy at the age of 22 was a decision he made unilaterally.
But to some, the idea of serving both the US military and Islam may seem incompatible … not so for Lt Cmdr Graham.
“Within Islam there is a sense that it’s appropriate to serve in a military capacity,” he reasons. “There are similarities between the Navy and Islam in my opinion – both encourage justice, mercy and courage. My loyalty is to my country and they allow me to practice my religion to the full extent of its requirements.”
He says that he has never experienced discrimination or animosity within the Navy because of his faith.
This is the sixth time Lt Cmdr Graham has been stationed in the Gulf and he enjoys serving in Muslim lands.
“Coming to this part of the world has been an awakening and an adventure,” he said.
“I’ve prayed at the Grand Mosque here in Bahrain and when I was stationed in Riyadh I prayed at local mosques. It’s different for locals to see a 6ft 2ins blond-haired guy walk in, and there is a degree of curiosity or suspicion.
“But when people find out I’m a Muslim of Turkish heritage I’ve been warmly received and many doors have been opened.
“I’ve tried in my own way to provide perspective for Americans to understand and appreciate positives about this part of the world.”
Lt Cmdr Graham also understands the sensitivity of the relationship between Islam and the Pentagon, and the fact that many Arab states dislike the US and its foreign policy.
“There is lingering hostility to US policy in the region,” he admits.  “However, we are welcomed by Saudi, Qatar, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan and Lebanon.”
Asked his opinion on Islamic fundamentalists, he said: “I understand on an emotional level the desire to want to follow something in its purest form. But I also believe that when human beings seek to recreate the past they become subject to those who move past them. One reason that I am proud of my Turkish heritage is that Turkey has embraced democratic principles.”
For Lt Cmdr Graham, joining the military was an individual decision, but one that dovetailed with his heritage.
He is from a long line of servicemen. His American grandfather served in World War Two and his Turkish great-grandfather fought for the Ottoman Empire during World War One.
His father – an Episcopalian turned atheist – eloped with his Turkish Muslim mother while serving the US Air force in Ankara in the 1960s.
In many ways Lt Cmdr Graham’s story is a classic American tale of success.
He is the first in his family to become an officer, and the first to achieve a college education.
Although Islam was introduced to him at a young age through his mother, it was his own decision to become a practicing Muslim and one he is proud of.
“I’ve never hidden my identity, my affiliation to Islam or my loyalty to the US,” he explained.
“I’ve tried to serve both sides of me here. I see myself much as I see Turkey. Turkey is a bridge between the East and the West. I’m trying to be a bridge on a human level. The more we understand one another the more peace we’ll have.”