The MRFF Saved Our Daughter’s Life

Published On: June 1, 2015|Categories: MRFF's Inbox, News|4 Comments|

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Mr. Mikey Weinstein and the MRFF,This letter is way overdue as I spoke to Mikey just at the beginning of last month and told him that my wife and I wanted to send it.
Please excuse that it’s been about a month now late.

Please use this letter any way you wish but take out anything that would identify our family. While we love the MRFF and owe it our daughter’s life (and we so badly want to express our appreciation) but we do not want to take any hits from those who don’t like the MRFF. We can see what you all have to go through. We cannot handle what you do. We bought your wife’s book and were sickened by what we saw there. We’ve been through enough and are very private people. So please don’t make it easy for those who would try to hurt us just for thanking you all at the MRFF. No names or places please.

I am a (surgical specialty withheld) surgeon and practice at (hospital name withheld) in (U.S. city and state withheld). My wife is also a (surgical specialty withheld) surgeon at the same hospital. I am originally from (middle eastern country name withheld) and came to America at the age of 5. I am of the Muslim faith and am proud of my American citizenship. My wife is a (Christian denomination withheld) from (U.S. state withheld). We met and married in medical school at the University of (name withheld) in (U.S. city and state withheld). We are both devout in our different faiths and find solidarity in each other’s.

We have one daughter and 2 sons. We let our children be exposed to many faiths as we raised them. Our two sons are Christians and our daughter chose to follow the path of Islam. We love all three of our children and are proud of them.

(daughter’s name withheld) joined the (armed forces branch withheld) a few years ago in 20XX. She deployed many times to Afghanistan and Iraq. She saw combat was wounded twice and was decorated. It was when she transferred back to (military installation name withheld) when the bad things started to happen. A senior sergeant, (rank and name withheld) started to torment her by telling her and all of her fellow (sailors, airmen, soldiers or marines) that “the only good Muslim is a dead Muslim”. (name and rank withheld) was very open about promoting his Christian faith to his lower ranking troops and even held daily (military unit name withheld) “bible studies” during normal operational hours in the (military unit name withheld) working area. He did many other things as well to make it clear to the lower ranks that being of his Christian faith was of number one importance.

Whenever he saw our daughter he would say that same thing over and over again (“the only good Muslim is a dead Muslim”) and even wrote this on a placard and put it where all could see it. He did many other things like this. This went on for weeks and months. It became too much for (daughter’s name withheld). As you know Mr. Weinstein, she tried to take her life on several occasions. Her (service branch name withheld) friends tried to help but they too were intimidated by (name and rank withheld) and his senior ranking colleagues who made such sport of our daughter just because she was Muslim and not of their Christian faith.

I want all to know that my wife and I called you at least 100 times or more over the many months of this ordeal. We called you all the time. At late night and in the early morning and even during your family’s Thanksgiving dinner one time. We were scared and you always took the time to talk and care for us. My wife and I cried many times before during and after our calls with you. You talked so often to our daughter and her friends and advised them what to do. We probably should have followed your advice sooner but were afraid of consequences. We should and could have done more and sooner.

Finally, we did as you advised for so long. (rank and name withheld) received some punishment and we are told he may not be promoted because of this. He should not even be in the U.S. (service branch withheld) but at least this is of some consolation.

Our daughter is wonderful! She is now out of the service with an honorable discharge and just graduated from Community College with a 3.8 GPA. She has been accepted to start as a full time college student at the prestigious University of (name U.S. college withheld) in the fall term. She is using her GI Bill benefits to fund this. We will help her as need be. Mikey you wrote the most beautiful recommendation letter for her acceptance there. I keep a copy of it in my office and (daughter’s name withheld) has it framed in her bedroom.

When the days were darkest and so frightful you were there for (daughter’s name withheld) and all of us. I am sorry we did not fight harder at the time. You were right and we should have done it then. We all have learned so very much. We know one thing for sure and that is that we owe our daughter’s life to you and the others at the MRFF who interceded on her behalf at your direction.

One last thing. (daughter’s name withheld)’s little brother just recently entered (service branch withheld) basic training a few weeks ago. (number withheld) weeks before he went in, he got a very small tattoo on his (body location withheld). He did it for his sister and our whole family. He did it to thank you and all the people at the MRFF.
It is the MRFF logo! He specifically asked that I put this in this thank you letter to you and the MRFF and he and we do not want you to take that out of this letter. Let all know it. He has had no problems at all so far and will graduate Basic soon now. If he ever does face what his sister did (he is a Christian though) we won’t hesitate to ask the MRFF to fight for him and us. Won’t make the same mistake of letting fear slow us down ever again. We almost lost our daughter because of this fear. You saved her for us Mikey and God will use her for a good purpose.

May God be with and upon all of you. Thank you and the MRFF for your many sacrifices. Thank you all for caring and not giving up on any of us.(name withheld), M.D., father of (daughter’s name withheld)
(city, state and address withheld)
(phone numbers withheld)

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4 Comments

  1. Rael Nidess, M.D. June 2, 2015 at 1:00 pm

    A full & complete vindication of MRFF’s raison d’être and Mikey’s ‘attack dog’ approach to the crypto-fascists of the religious-wrong!

  2. MJ Hooper June 9, 2015 at 5:43 pm

    Stories like this give me hope for the future of this fascist nation in the making. These issues, given direct and forceful attention of Mikey, his wife, and his staff, are why I contribute what I can every month and will continue to support. Thank you for your letter, name withheld, and thank you Mikey for standing with the heroes of this nation for what is right and just for every service member, every family member, and every citizen of the country.
    If I believed in God, I’d call for blessings on you, but my tree hugging tendencies require that I thank nature/the firmament/mother earth for your presence in our midst. Thank you, Mikey, your family, your staff, and even your protective dogs.

  3. Ralph Gentile June 11, 2015 at 3:53 pm

    Terrific letter and comments! I hope Haters of all religions gain enlightenment.

  4. Ralph Gentile June 11, 2015 at 3:54 pm

    To clarify, I don’t mean those who hate religions. I mean the faithful who are driven to hate others.

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