The New Nation - Internet Edition

Agencies, Fort Hood, Texas

Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, who went on a shooting spree at Fort Hood, has been taken off a ventilator but still remains in intensive care at a military hospital, a US Army spokesman says.

Spokesman Col. John Rossi told reporters on Saturday at Fort Hood that he is not sure if Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan is able to communicate.

Hasan, a career soldier with some 20 years experience, was shot during an exchange of gunfire during Thursday's attack. The military moved him on Friday to Brooke Medical Center in San Antonio, about 150 miles southwest of Fort Hood. Army officials have said Hasan is "not able to converse."

Thirteen people were killed and 38 others wounded in Thursday's attack at Fort Hood.

Eyad Hasan, Nidal's brother said in an e-mail statement released Saturday that he hopes authorities will give his family information on Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan's condition. He also says he hopes his brother is allowed the right to an attorney when he gains consciousness.

The brother says the Army major is a compassionate person who has never committed an act of violence. "He is peaceful person," Eyad said and hoped he will be treated fairly by the legal system.

He also says his family is praying for everyone affected by the "horrific events that transpired at Fort Hood."

Earlier, US Army CID spokesman Chris Grey describing Nidal's capture said Sgt Mark Todd kicked away Maj Hasan's gun and cuffing him after colleague Kimberly Munley shot him.

The 39-year-old army psychiatrist was shot four times and fell into a coma., he added.

Investigators are still trying to establish a motive for the attack, Mr Grey said, despite interviews with more than 170 witnesses and victims.

The reasons for the shooting are not clear, but Major Nidal Malik Hasan was reported to be unhappy at alleged racial abuse he had received.

But anti-Muslim sentiment is being felt as a result of the shooting. The Arab-American Institute - which condemned the massacre - said it had received at least one threatening phone call, and expected more.

One soldier at the Texas base admitted the coming days would be tough for his Muslim colleagues.

"They've taken it hard due to the fact that it kind of puts a negative light on them and makes people distrust them," the soldier said.

"Because everybody is going to look at them [and think]: "Well, you're probably going to pull something like this. And it's a sad fact that that will happen". The BBC's Penny Spiller considers how it may affect the thousands of Muslims in the US military.

Major Nidal Malik Hasan was trained as a psychiatrist and treated troops returning from combat. He is also reported to be a devout Muslim, who attended daily prayers at a mosque and was seen on the morning of the shooting wearing traditional Arabic dress as he shopped for groceries.

His relatives said he had become disillusioned with US military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, and strongly opposed his own imminent deployment to Afghanistan.

He had also long wanted to leave the army after suffering harassment because of his religion, they said.

Whatever the motivation, the tragedy at Fort Hood army base highlights the sensitivities surrounding the issue of American Muslims serving in the US armed forces.

Kamran Memon of the organisation Muslims For a Safe America says the subject splits America's Muslim community down the middle.

"Those at one end of the spectrum say we should have nothing to do with the US armed forces as they are involved in wars with our fellow Muslims abroad," he said.

"Those at the other end say we should definitely serve and help defend our country against those who wish to attack it.

"There is no easy answer to this. We are trying to encourage American Muslims to learn about these issues and use their critical thinking skills to reach informed conclusions so that we can become greater participants in the debate about national security issues."

Mr Memon says the vast majority of Muslim citizens in America are "able to live peaceful lives", even though they have probably suffered some discrimination, if only a hostile look, since the September 11, 2001 attacks.

He believes that this will also be true of those Muslims who serve in the US armed forces.

It is not clear exactly how many Muslims serve in the 1.4 million-strong US armed forces, as recruits are not required to state their religion.

According to the Pentagon, there are 3,572 Muslims in active service. However, some Muslims in the military say the real number is as high as 20,000.

The US government has made no secret of the fact that it would like to see more people from Arab and Muslim communities joining the armed forces.

More American Muslim troops on the ground in Iraq and Afghanistan has long been seen as a vital part in helping the US in its missions to win hearts and minds in those countries.

"They are a great asset to the army," Lt Col Nathan Banks, army spokesman for the Pentagon, said.

"When they do deploy they help facilitate a lot of our missions. American Muslims in the army work hand in hand with local Muslims, and we welcome that."

He said the army did not foresee heightened tensions within its ranks as a result of Fort Hood.

"This was an isolated incident. Our hearts go out to everyone affected by this, but the army will stay strong. We have a diverse armed forces, and whatever their religion our troops have a part to play, and they play it very well."