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Afghan outrage over US Koran burning
Published: 21 February, 2012, 14:44
Afghan demonstrators shout anti-US slogans at the gate of Bagram airbase during a protest against Koran desecration on February 21, 2012 at Bagram about 60 kilometres (40 miles) north of Kabul (AFP Photo / Shah Marai)
TAGS: Conflict, Military, NATO, Religion, Protest
Violent protests have broken out by the US military base in Bagram after US troops improperly disposed of Korans confiscated from inmates. NATO commander issued an official apology in an attempt to quell public outcry.
An estimated 2,000 demonstrators gathered outside the US-controlled airbase throwing stones and petrol bombs, outraged at reports of troops burning copies of the sacred text. NATO guards fired rubber bullets from the base’s watchtowers to disperse the crowd.
Local Afghan leader Ahmad Zaki Zahed said he had been given 30 Korans confiscated from prisoners at Bagram on Monday and that some showed signs of being burnt.
Commander John Allen did not confirm the reports of the burning, but made a fervent apology for the “large number of religious materials which included Korans” improperly disposed of by personnel at the base.
He said that upon receiving the reports there was immediate intervention to stop them.
“We are thoroughly investigating the incident and we are taking steps to ensure this does not ever happen again. I assure you. I promise you…this was not intentional in any way,” said the General.
He also thanked the “local Afghan people who helped identify the error and who helped to take immediate corrective action.”
Another protest was reported to have broken out shortly afterwards in Kabul on the Jalalabad road, close to NATO army bases. However, local police told new agency AFP that the police had the situation under control and there was no violence.
Last year American Pastor Terry Jones publicly burned Korans in Florida, causing widespread violent protests in Afghanistan leading to the deaths of 30 people, including some UN workers.
The desecration of sacred religious materials in Afghanistan is considered to be a crime punishable by death.
21.02, 14:14
4 comments
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All you bleeding hearts never cease to amaze me, its always the west that's is the villian. When all you bleeding hearts need help, you turn to the west for help. The Americans were asked to help the Afghans, in war time you will always have mishaps. I hope the Americans learn a lesson from these ungreatful peopl, and leave them the real murders in their country. They complain about a book, I truly believe most of them don't even read the Koran, what the real problem is they have nothing to do and their country offers them no future, so demonstrating is an out for them. Why have'nt they demonstrate against the Russian invasion when it took place. These people are very ungrateful, uneducated and always looking for a handout. Give them anything for free, then its okay. Sad, very sad.
Now take a good look at the picture of those kids... Are they really the ones you'll expect tomorrow to lead with love, tolerance and respect for human lives?
So sad, So sad... You can never give what you do not have.. You cannot expect kids conceived and brought up with the blood of hatred, terror, killings and so on to become, lovers of all... it happens only one in a million...
Ok, koran (A book made of wood) was burnt and they go on rampage killing 'innocent' people, now what does it say? A book is worth more than lives! It sure says it all, that indeed it was never a book that represents words of True God of Love.
What America needs to do is get the hell out of these countries and focus on the what is going on here, but NO this tax payer money is being spent VERY wisely on wars that the American people dont support. Instead of burning that book they should read it and maybe we can actually gain back some morals and values we have lost.