U.S. removes soldier from Iraq after he defaces Quran

[babylonsister]

U.S. removes soldier from Iraq after he defaces Quran
By Raviya H. Ismail | McClatchy Newspapers


BAGHDAD: A U.S. Army soldier was removed from Iraq after he shot a Quran full of bullets and marked it with graffiti, the U.S. military announced Sunday.

U.S. military officials, fearing a backlash as a result of the desecration moved quickly to resolve the case after Iraqi police found the desecrated book May 11 at a shooting range in the predominantly Sunni Muslim area of Radwaniya in western Baghdad.

They briefed tribal leaders on their investigation and expressed regret for the damage to the Quran, the Islamic holy book.

So far, there has been no public outcry over the desecration.

"This incident is not representative of the professionalism of our soldiers or the respect they have for all faiths," said Col. Bill Buckner.

How American forces treat the Quran has been a recurring source of complaint dating back to the earliest days after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and reports about them have triggered angry outpourings throughout the Muslim world, including riots in Afghanistan in 2005 that left at least 17 dead.

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http://www.mcclatchydc.com/251/story/37541.html

[MethuenProgressive]

1. "So far, there has been no public outcry over the desecration."

There was footage of a large crowd of outraged Iraqis protesting about this on TV yesterday.

[phillysuse]

2. Good way to get out of Iraq and save his

own life.

And they probably won't send this guy to Afghanistan either.

[babylonsister]

3. That was my first thought, too. nt

[opihimoimoi]

4. Others are hunting them Holy Books to shoot and hopefully get deported/reassigned to Tahiti