What Is In A Name

[tapmaster]

This forum is a place for dialogue and help from other professionals. So I throw this out as a question of help rather than an opportunityto get flamed. As i realize it could and will happen. I don't expect any sympathy just some honest answers to help a fellow warrior find work.

In my youth i converted to Islam and changed my name to an islamic name. Even though i came from a police background it never became a problem until i left the police force in america.

When i came to England I was assisted by a Para with the IDF in an effort to find work as he knew me and the person that i am not by my name (old name shall i say).

I was told on numerous occassion that I would not be hired as I have this name and clients don't want to hire arabic speaking CPO or people with the name Mohammed. One company in particlar was very upfront with me about this. Even though i disagree with this policy it is simply the fact. Even though i don't speak Arabic. I speak Persian which is Iranian but that is another story.

Since working in UK for the last 5 years almost 6 i realize that it was a big impediment to getting a decent job despite having training and experience. I have recently graduated from 2 high powered training classes to get the SIA license.

Each time i have received a sorry we don't question your credentials our clients don't want to hire people with this background and you don' t meet the basic requirements. This is simply the answer that i receive. Keep in mind I swore to defend my country against all enemies foreign and domestic. I will do that on my life without hesitation.

18 years law enforcement
Firearms Instructor (all weapons)
Defensive Tactics Instructor
Chemical Agents Instructor
Advanced Executive Protection

etc etc etc and i am still not able to meet the basic requirements.

Recently after much study and many years of thinking and visitng catholic churches I have converted to Catholicism and visited the Vatican in Italy. Having just returned from Venice this past weekend.

I am not sure what to do or where to turn as I have now reached Dire Straights financially. Even though i have returned back to my original name and religion my past association with Islam not terrorism has become an issue that i cannot escape.

I have never been assocated with or had any dealings with any radicals what so ever. In fact the current face of islam has been a big factor in my decision to convert to catholicism. The people who could stop this maddness won't do it because they have a financial gain from what is going on. This is the sad part. An ancient religion being hijacked literally by criminals and the people in position to put a halt to it won't because they will lose their positions of wealth.

That been said any advice or directions would be greatly appreciated.

Many Thanks

Tapmaster-In martial arts in order for the fight to be over someone must submit either by tapping out, going to sleep etc. or the fight is won on points.

[silent]

Hi Tapmaster,
Welcome back from Venice mate ( is it still flooded???)

To be honest you Islaamic name was probably not that helpful in your search for work and it is ultimately a CV that opens doors to employers. I know you personally and would have no problems having you on a team with me but if the name doesnt fit etc etc.
You have just done, in my humble opinion, one of the best CP courses available in the UK and added to your police background in the US and your training with Trojan in the states I would be using these connections to network and promoting yourself. It is a fact that the US employers will look more favourably on US citizens when it comes to building teams so would suggest contacting your Trojan contacts who will have many contacts in-country already (they are a major player in courses and may well have a recruitment arm alongsidetheir training division) otherwise you are on the CV merry-go-round with the rest of us mate!!!!!

Good luck and feel free to bell me as usual

Silent

[rupert]

There is obviously more to this than meats the eye and from what you have said and Silent has concured, your carrer/training is not in question.

We can sit at our keyboards and pontificate about how a religion (or name asociated with a given religion) aught not to have a baring on employment, but the sad fact is that in the twisted world we live in and in the industry we play in it will do.

My suggestion, and you may have done this, would be to change your name (by Deed Poll) either to your old orriginal name or to a new name that does not reflect your Islamic religious past.

That said, I would not mention religion at all in any CV or employment documents; if the name Mohammed on your docs is whats holding you back (sad if it is) and you no longer practice Islam, then I think that is the answer.

Plenty of people have changed their names for lesser reasons; no dif to what many actors and musicians do!

[jmaccauley]

Actually, you have a huge asset that others don't: your language skills. If you emphasize all of your training and experience, and de-emphasize the name and religious affiliation I can't see why you wouldn't be valuable in an intelligence function. Maybe you should shop those areas.

Jerry

[ASE]

Salaam.

If the mountain wont come to Mohammed, then let Mohammed go to the mountain!

Dont give up just yet. There is a job around the corner - you just havent found it yet. Start to think at a tangent. Why? because you are not a regular fit as you have stated, but you have good skills sets. Learn arabic. As Jerry said, intel is an option and c/surveillance too if you physically fit in with the ME locals or elsewhere. Or can we just call you Mo' or Hammy?
Ah salaam aleikum
ASE

[tapmaster]

I appreciate all of your replies and have taken on board your excellent comments. I had changed my name by deed poll a few months back. I had gone to the American Embassy to get my passport changed. They gave me a long list of things they wanted in addition to the deed poll to show that i had already started using my originial name. As i explained to the Yanks (i'm a confederate) that it takes months to get all documents changed over and copies received.

They agreed to change the name on page 11 of my passport until i can get more proofs i.e. bank statements, national insurance etc. then they would give me a full passport in my original name.

I had been offered a job in Afghanistan with immediate deployment. This was in early August. As I had been highly recommended from Arkansas. The guy asked me to send my CV and front page of the passport. After several weeks no reply. i contacted them and explained that I had in fact had a legal name change and the passport showing the name change was also attached to the documents. Because for clearance reasons with american companies it will always be there and they will know it.

For me I try to downplay religion in all parts of life and not draw attention to it. AS we should respect everyones differences and values.

I have started to learn Arabic more as i can already read it. In addition to being fluent in English, Spanish and French.

But it's that bloody name.

To silent Venice was rainey a few days. I did hear a strange name a few times in the night at the point of no return D** they said we thought your name was E*** i said it is but D**** is a good mate. Those Navy boys get around.

Cheers

[shakespeare]

This is a wind up.

[annie]

It is a sad state of affairs that people cannot see beyond a name, and wheras i understand in many countries religion is an important part of who you are and how you live your life, i am a personal believer that religion is a personal choice.

An old boss of mine used to make me vet all aplications for his CP course for peoples names that wernt as he liked to call it 'safe' which shows you the level of ignorance that surrounds us not onlu within this industry but in most walks of life.

Wheras terrorism is an unacceptable aspect of our lives, it is not a new problem and it wasnt that many years ago when people discriminated against those from Northern Ireland, and the Germans before that, and the Scottish, and so on and so on. There has been and always will be somebody that we hold wholly responsible for all the wrongs in the world, lord knows the jewish have suffered long enough.

You are obviously someone who enjoys the practice of religion and you should be able to be proud of that and not suffer at the hands of petty individuals......

Nowhere near on your level of issue but when i re-married my daughter kept my ex husbands name and i now need to physically tell people she is my own child and it causes great confusion. As i say nothing like your troubles but it just proves the point people judge you on a name, in whatever circumstances.

Keep your chin up, sure you will work it out, and i'd use the skills you do have with languages to help you out, after all many of us fall up here due to not having those extra benefits of another language.

[tapmaster]

Shakespeare this is not a wind up mate. This is the sad reality for me and i'm sure many others called reality. The first contact I had with this problem was in 2003 when a friend of mine from the IDF had introduced me to a broker who found security positions for freelance self employed security.

I was given a contact number to call a company that i won't name and I was asked to submit my CV. After not hearing anything a couple days I made a follow up call and spoke to a guy (never forget his name) who said to me "you have two problems" I replied back to him that if all I have is 2 problems then I'm good to go. He replied "our clients don't hire muslims" I said to him well you didn't ask me if i were a muslim. He said also "our clients don't hire people named Mohammed". AS much as I disagree with what he said I'm glad to find that out up front rather than be in HE and get this news and be init up to my knees.

So after much time thinking and studying I became a Catholic and changed my name back. Silent knows me personally and would tell you that this is not a windup. I am genuinely trying to find help from people who know the insides of CP work more than I.

Cheers

[DarkHorse]

Tapmaster, (salam)

Being a Muslim, I think I can sense what you are saying in great detail... I work for UK civ force and now local goverment office and Yes things can be hard at times.... But believe me I always pushed hard (training & results) that i am as good as other...

I will echo Jerry commnets that, you are well trainned and use it for your benifit, things potential employers dont want to see .... Dont put it in resume.... you and family comes first so do whatever (legally) to get what you deserve...

"Just don't give up giving UP" my friend...

All the best

DH