U.S. soldier uses Quran for target practice; military apologizes
 

http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/...ran/index.html


Story Highlights

U.S. soldier aims at Quran at police shooting range at Iraqi village

Soldier relieved of duty, sent to United States for reassignment

Officer apologizes in special ceremony at village

Residents protest with banners and by chanting slogans

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. Jeffery Hammond apologizes after a soldier admitted using the Quran for target practice.


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." Watch villagers protest the Quran incident »

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.

Hammond also read from the shooter's letter: "I sincerely hope that my actions have not diminished the partnership that our two nations have developed together. ... My actions were shortsighted, very reckless and irresponsible, but in my heart [the actions] were not malicious." Watch Hammond issue apology »


A tribal leader said "the criminal act by U.S. forces" took place at a shooting range at the Radhwaniya police station. After the shooters left, an Iraqi policeman found a target marked in the middle of the bullet-riddled Quran.

Copies of the pictures of the Quran obtained by CNN show multiple bullet holes and an expletive scrawled on one of its pages.

A military investigation found the shooter guilty and relieved him of duty; he will be redeployed to the United States for reassignment away from the 1st Brigade of the 4th Infantry Division, a U.S. official said.

"The actions of one soldier were nothing more than criminal behavior," Hammond said. "I've come to this land to protect you, to support you -- not to harm you -- and the behavior of this soldier was nothing short of wrong and unacceptable."

Officials said the soldier claimed he wasn't aware the book was the Quran. U.S. officials rejected the claim.

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."

How sad. THIS is taking things too far (to all those wondering what my limit is :rolleyes:).

We're kinda famous for this arrogance.

I'm sick of the double standard.

If some muslim blows up himself, US Soldiers, and fifty civilians...well, he isn't party of the real islamic religion.

If a female US Soldier is in the same room as one of the muslim clerics during negotiations, it's a huge insult to their honor and a reason to walk away from the table.

Good points.

I think the apology was certainly proper, the kissing the Quran...not so excited about that.

Ahhhhhh...but don't forget...we (the US) get mad at flag burnings and the flag isn't even a religious object...do we not?

Guess that is one way to win the heart and mind of the local population.

I think they should be rightfully mad about someone desecrating the Quran. If visitors to the US burned our flag or desecrated the Bible (note, we have Berkley for things like this, who needs outsiders), I'd be pissed too.

My problem only arises when the outrage isn't evenly distributed or when it escalates to violence. This situation isn't as bad as the cartoon fiasco, for example (at least that I've heard of).

But I do think it would be ridiculous for people to get outraged about shooting at a Quran, yet remain complacent about fellow Muslims shooting at Christians or Jews. I don't think we can label broadly, but I do think a double standard exists.

We, at least the vast majority of us, would be absolutely outraged if anyone used the Bible for target practice.

Our soldier did a remarkably dumb thing.

I think the difference is in the response. Obviously Americans are groveling with regard to this incident. You rarely see the same thing from our opponents.

Sorry, but I don't care who grovels for what, the lack of respect for a religious symbol like this isn't something that a soldier of a country founded on religious freedom and values should even consider, let alone do.

Someone is bound to say that "they" (you can fill in the blank on who "they" are) do the same kind of thing to our symbols.

While that is true, it doesn't make it right from either side.

True, but that's what to me points up the supreme stupidity of the whole thing. Religious and cultural respect aside, any idiot should have been able to guess what the response would be to using a Quran for target practice. What a stupid, stupid, completely counter our own interests thing to do.

I'm not saying both situations wouldn't be equally stupid.

I'm saying that people are more likely to ignore Muslim demands for apologies when many are apathetic or even supportive with regard to the terror they inflict on others. I think we were right to apologize.

I see what you're saying.

So religious freedom means not shooting korans? Who knew?

The point is not that someone could shoot our symbols and we don't get upset.

The point is our soldiers already know what will happen if they do something like this, and he did it anyway. The man is too flippin stupid to be in my military, and should be discharged immediately. Too bad they don't have a "general, under stupid conditions" discharge.