US Army Apologise for Using Quran for Target Practice

BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- A soldier used the Quran -- Islam's holy book -- for target practice, forcing the chief U.S. commander in Baghdad to issue a formal apology on Saturday.

Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Hammond, commander of U.S. forces in Baghdad, flanked by leaders from Radhwaniya in the western outskirts of Baghdad, apologized for the staff sergeant who was a sniper section leader assigned to the headquarters of the 64th Armored Regiment. He also read a letter of apology by the shooter.

It was the first time the incident -- which tested the relationship between U.S.-backed Sunni militiamen and the military -- was made public since it was discovered May 11.

"I come before you here seeking your forgiveness," Hammond said to tribal leaders and others at the apology ceremony. "In the most humble manner I look in your eyes today and I say please forgive me and my soldiers."

Another military official kissed a Quran and presented it as "a humble gift" to the tribal leaders.

The soldier, whose name was not released, shot at a Quran on May 9, villagers said. The Quran used in the incident was discovered two days later, according to the military.

Tribal leaders, dignitaries and local security officials attended the ceremony, while residents carried banners and chanted slogans, including "Yes, yes to the Quran" and "America out, out."

Sheikh Hamadi al-Qirtani, in a speech on behalf of all tribal sheiks of Radhwaniya, called the incident "aggression against the entire Islamic world."

The Association of Muslim Scholars in Iraq also condemned the shooter's actions and the U.S. military's belated acknowledgment of the incident.

"As the Association of Muslim Scholars condemns this heinous crime against God's holy book, the Constitution of this nation, a source of pride and dignity," the groups statement said, "they condemned the silence by all those who are part of the occupation's agenda and holds the occupation and the current government fully responsible for this violation and reminds everyone that God preserves his book and he [God] is a great avenger."

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Iraq
• Us
• Soldier
• Quran
• Islam
• terror
• baghdad
• bush
• sunni
• Shia
• Sniper
• Apology
• offensive
• abuse
• disgrace
• blasphemy

[CondorianoG8]

@wbttk You say Muslims kill innocent civilians with their terror attacks, you call them terrorists. What if your beloved america dropped a 4000 KG(8,818.49 pound) Bomb over a city, Killing approximately 100 000 people and about 95% of those were innocent, wouldnt that be a terror attack ?. Does the Hiroshima, Nagasaki bombing ring any bells for you?.A country where the majority of the population are white, it is okay to bomb a city then.

[Q3ToPBuZz]

These cunts are laughing at us.Fuck them and their stupid fairytale bullshit.Its about time these fuckwits started to police their own fundamentalist loonies before moaning about crap like this.Religion deserves no fucking respect.How exactly has it earned it?

[H3M3N]

you best be sorry U S army you're Piss of shit you wil burn in hell Inshallah

[bigaysilva]

They should had use many muslims to hold the Quran as a target. Allah is a false god like Baal, Muhamed is the 'False Prophet' of the book of Revelation, and the Quran is a bad copycat of our Sacred Scriptures. There in only ONE Creator, Hashem only one Saviour Yeshua HaMashiach. 'Allah is the greatest' ....sure...the greatest false god of all time.

[RKOFAN24]

@Q3ToPBuZz You're full of shit

[AeroAstro]

@CondorianoG8 From what I've read, the Japanese actually forgave the USA because the bombs ended the war for Japan, whereas a prolonged war could have costed many more Japanese lives and done a whole lot more damage to the country.

People like you need to do some research before you jump on the anti-West pro-liberal apologist bandwagon.

[XpEAnUTBuTtERsUckSX]

@CondorianoG8 Nah, because the west does everthing to fight the evil, never aiding it. Your head must be scrweed because my grand country would never kill innocent civillians, we are here to fight terror and promote freedom throughout the world.

[53yoMoRAPESa9yoChild]

WHY, WHY, oh WHY did he destroy that book of perfectly good toilet paper.

ps. - the soldier secretely got a medal, a pat on the back & a promotion, - he is now a Lt. Col.

poor stupid ragheads actually believe what the Gen. was saying...!!

the Gen. went for shit after this & wiped his asshole with koran pages...

ROFL

[Dallas8844]

It's just a book, probably published in China. How do they dispose of them normally, when one gets so tattered you need to throw it away?

Still, the soldier who did it was an idiot, who has wrecked his career over a stupid stunt. And nice job on the reporter repeating word for word what the officer had said 5 seconds ago.

[xxnick007xx]

AND THIS SOLDERS SHOULD NOT BE BLAMED FOR IT, AS MACES YOU IDIOTS DID HIDING BEHIND THE KORAN.