"We Don't Want to Join Army"

Youth of Kfar Kama Circassian village of Israel received a letter  from the local recruiting centre, "Stand Decree", "According to the Security Service law you must stand before the recruiting centre located at Tiberius on March 12 2007 9:00 O'clock" it states.

When the prescribed day arrived about 15 folks stood at the recruiting centre and declared their unwilling to join the army and that it is forbidden by religion. In a short time for them arrived second letter
aimed at those who did not stood at the first time, in which by little square there emphasized warning: "For that you didn't stood at the first "Stand Decree" you should stand now according to this decree, if not we will have to compel against you with legal measures according to security service law, including issuing commandment of
detention by Israeli Police."

Resident of kfar Kama village Circassian Muslim Lousten Achmoz sent to the Ministry of defense the following letter:

"Firstly I will bring to your attention that according to Islam serving in IDF is forbidden.

I see severe collision between obligatory recruitment of Circassians and law of religion freedom. For some time I study this issue and I contact with human rights associations in case that representative demand is required.

I understand that this issue has been raised up in the presence of Kfar Kama council but any solution was not found. I see it right thing to write you this letter and I hope to receive your reply.

Today there is about 20 youth who are nominated to be sent to jail because their unwillingness to be recruited for one simple reason, it is forbidden by religion. The Ministry of defense had asked before to
define who is "religious" among the Circassians, so as long as the person bear witness that he is Muslim it means that he is religious (belongs to the acknowledged religion in the country) therefore there is no place for questions in this matter.

There were inspections of who pray at mosque and who is not, so if Muslim choose not to pray at the mosque or to violate such virtue or other it is indeed was according to a choice, but obligatory recruitment imposes on that Circassian to violate the Islam religion.

I ask you to consider release of Circassians from obligatory recruitment."

Source: Radio Adiga