Dear Hadi,
For the past two decades, I've worked as an engineer for a defense contracting company, proud to contribute to my nation's defense. However, over the years seeing all the wars our nation has been involved in, my pride has been eroding but with the recent events in Gaza, it has become light as day that our nation is complicit in a genocide.
My company manufactures weapons destined for Israel, and witnessing the ongoing conflict in Gaza and Palestine has left me deeply troubled. I've expressed my concerns to management, refusing to work on programs supplying ammunition to Israel. Some of my non-Muslim colleagues have done the same.
Yet, despite taking a stand, I'm haunted by the ethical implications of my job. Finding alternative employment at my age, with my level of experience, is daunting.
Compounding this, I'm still supporting my children through college, and quitting would saddle them with financial debt I wanted them to avoid.
Feeling trapped and disillusioned, I'm torn between my principles and practical responsibilities. I would greatly appreciate any advice you can give.
Dear Defense Contractor Conundrum,
Thank you for your very thoughtful question. We certainly understand the concerns you’re feeling, and will give you our most sincere advice.
First and foremost, do not feel bad about yourself. Why do we say that?
Well, let’s start with the Prophet’s (pbuh) hadith that says, “He who sees something wrong should modify it with his hand, and if he does not have enough strength to do that, then he should do it with his tongue, and if he does not have the strength to do that, then he should abhor it from his heart, and that is the least of faith.” Not only is it clear you abhor the situation in your heart, you have done something about it by speaking up - that is more than most could, or many would, do. We commend you and your non-Muslim colleagues for doing so and for refusing to work on programs that conflict with your conscience. You have lived up to the Prophet’s hadith to the best of your ability, and at the end of the day, you are not responsible for your company’s policy.
If you were perhaps just starting out, we might encourage you to explore a different job, but given your years of experience with this employer, and your family obligations, it may be difficult to find another job that helps you support your family – we don’t believe that this is what is required, and God knows best.
Even if you were to do this, keep in mind that as taxpayers, we are all, to some extent, facilitating our nation’s support of the Israeli government and its unconscionable oppression of the Palestinian people. However, we can’t stop paying taxes in order to avoid this.
Instead, we can speak up as you have done, and participate in other ways (attend peaceful protests, write to our congressional representatives) to make our voices heard.
There will be many others who are unable to speak up at all because of their job situations. For those unable to speak up directly, perhaps they can discharge their obligation of bearing witness to the truth by supporting organizations that speak up on our behalf (e.g. CAIR, the Muslim Public Affairs Council). Naturally, those who can speak up are likewise encouraged to support those organizations as well, since they make the collective voice stronger.
We encourage you to continue to speak up and to participate in these other ways. And of course, you can stay on the lookout for a suitable job alternative in the event it becomes available. However, if you were to leave your company, that would take away a voice of conscience, which you have been able to be. That voice may have encouraged some of your non-Muslim colleagues to take a stance they might not otherwise have taken.
We wish you all the best, and commend you for your efforts.
In peace.