Sunday, August 26, 2007

Afghans insulted by soccer balls

I think it would be a good idea if we could actually understand the culture that we are dealing with in this war on terror. Why needlessly anger the people that we have to get on our side:

A demonstration has been held in south- east Afghanistan accusing US troops of insulting Islam after they distributed footballs bearing the name of Allah.

The balls showed the Saudi Arabian flag which features the Koranic declaration of faith.

The US military said the idea had been to give something for Afghan children to enjoy and they did not realise it would cause offence.

The footballs [soccer balls]were dropped from a helicopter in Khost province.

Some displayed flags from countries all over the world, including Saudi Arabia, which features the shahada, one of the five pillars of Islam - the declaration of faith.

[...]

Saudi Arabia has complained to the World Cup's ruling body in the past about the use of its flag on footballs.

[...]

Afghan MP Mirwais Yasini said: "To have a verse of the Koran on something you kick with your foot would be an insult in any Muslim country around the world."