US soldier riddles Quran with bullets in Iraq
Monday, May 19, 2008
A US soldier has been expelled from Iraq for shooting an al-Quran during target practice, the American military said yesterday as a top general apologised for the desecration that triggered protests.
The unidentified soldier was disciplined after Iraqi police discovered the al-Quran, the Muslim holy book, with bullet holes and graffiti inside its cover last week at a firing range west of Baghdad, the US military said.
Major General Jeffrey Hammond, the top commander of US forces in Baghdad, met community leaders from Radhwaniya in the capital's western outskirts and issued a "formal apology," the CNN network said.
"I come before you here seeking your forgiveness," Hammond told tribal leaders on Saturday. "In the most humble manner I look in your eyes today and I say please forgive me and my soldiers."
Another military official kissed an al-Quran and presented it as "a humble gift" to the tribal leaders during an "apology ceremony," CNN said, adding that the soldier had also apologised.
"I sincerely hope that my actions have not diminished the partnership that our two nations have developed together," Hammond said, quoting from a letter written by the soldier.
"My actions were shortsighted, very reckless and irresponsible, but in my heart (was not) malicious," the soldier was quoted as saying.
Tribal leaders, dignitaries and local security officials attended the ceremony, while residents carried banners and chanted slogans including "Yes, yes to the al-Quran" and "America out, out," CNN said.
The soldier, a staff sergeant, was removed from Iraq following a preliminary investigation.
"The soldier in question is being disciplined due to his actions in shooting an al-Quran," a US military official said. "We hold all of our soldiers fully accountable for their actions." US military spokesman Colonel Bill Buckner said they viewed the incident "as both serious and deeply troubling," but stressed it was an "isolated incident and a result of one soldier's actions."
"Coalition commanders have since briefed local leaders on the results of the investigation and expressed their deep regret," Buckner said. "They have also undertaken disciplinary action against the soldier who was involved and he has been removed from Iraq."
The Association of Muslim Scholars in Iraq condemned the desecration. "This heinous crime shows the hatred the leaders and the members of the occupying force have against the al-Quran and the (Muslim) people," it said in a statement.
It called the shooting a "premeditated despicable act" and held both the US military and the government of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki responsible. There was no immediate reaction from government.
"Everyone is reminded that God protects his book and his revenge is strong," the scholars said.
AFP
The unidentified soldier was disciplined after Iraqi police discovered the al-Quran, the Muslim holy book, with bullet holes and graffiti inside its cover last week at a firing range west of Baghdad, the US military said.
Major General Jeffrey Hammond, the top commander of US forces in Baghdad, met community leaders from Radhwaniya in the capital's western outskirts and issued a "formal apology," the CNN network said.
"I come before you here seeking your forgiveness," Hammond told tribal leaders on Saturday. "In the most humble manner I look in your eyes today and I say please forgive me and my soldiers."
Another military official kissed an al-Quran and presented it as "a humble gift" to the tribal leaders during an "apology ceremony," CNN said, adding that the soldier had also apologised.
"I sincerely hope that my actions have not diminished the partnership that our two nations have developed together," Hammond said, quoting from a letter written by the soldier.
"My actions were shortsighted, very reckless and irresponsible, but in my heart (was not) malicious," the soldier was quoted as saying.
Tribal leaders, dignitaries and local security officials attended the ceremony, while residents carried banners and chanted slogans including "Yes, yes to the al-Quran" and "America out, out," CNN said.
The soldier, a staff sergeant, was removed from Iraq following a preliminary investigation.
"The soldier in question is being disciplined due to his actions in shooting an al-Quran," a US military official said. "We hold all of our soldiers fully accountable for their actions." US military spokesman Colonel Bill Buckner said they viewed the incident "as both serious and deeply troubling," but stressed it was an "isolated incident and a result of one soldier's actions."
"Coalition commanders have since briefed local leaders on the results of the investigation and expressed their deep regret," Buckner said. "They have also undertaken disciplinary action against the soldier who was involved and he has been removed from Iraq."
The Association of Muslim Scholars in Iraq condemned the desecration. "This heinous crime shows the hatred the leaders and the members of the occupying force have against the al-Quran and the (Muslim) people," it said in a statement.
It called the shooting a "premeditated despicable act" and held both the US military and the government of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki responsible. There was no immediate reaction from government.
"Everyone is reminded that God protects his book and his revenge is strong," the scholars said.
AFP
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