The Swamp: Quran-shooting: The religious Abu Ghraib
Posted May 18, 2008 9:30 AM
The news of American activity in the Middle East sometimes collide with the statements of American principle in the region. Photo from Saudi Arabia by Mark Silva
by Mark Silva
SHARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt — “Democracy does not threaten Islam or any religion,” President Bush told a largely quiet forum of Middle East leaders here today. “Democracy is the only system of government that guarantees their protection.”
But this is the story that greeted people throughout this region early this morning when they turned on CNN International, the BBC World News and other regional broadcast outlets:
Dateline Baghdad: A soldier used a Quran, the Islamic holy book, for target practice in a predominantly Sunni area west of Baghdad, prompting an apology from the military, a spokesman said Sunday.
Iraqi police found the bullet-riddled Quran with graffiti inside the cover on a small-arms range near a police station in Radwaniyah, a former insurgent stronghold west of Baghdad… American commanders then launched an inquiry that led to disciplinary action against the soldier, who has been removed from Iraq…
The action, which occurred on May 9 and was discovered two days later, threatened to further strain relations between the Americans and Sunni allies who have joined forces with them against al-Qaida in Iraq in Radwaniyah and other areas. The incident was first reported by CNN, which broadcast a ceremony at which the top American commander in Baghdad apologized to tribal leaders in Radwaniyah. The military confirmed the details.
And cable television viewers here saw a contrite U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Jefferey Hammond: “I come before you here seeking your forgiveness. In the most humble manner I look in your eyes today and I say please forgive me and my soldiers.”
Once again, the vaunted ideals of the United States campaign for democracy in the Middle East, including its avowed reverence for religious freedom, have collided with the conduct of an American soldier. On a smaller, but no less symbolic scale, it is the Abu Ghraib of religious freedom.
“There are people who claim that democracy is incompatible with Islam,” Bush told his audience here today. “But the truth is that democracies, by definition, make a place for people of religious belief. America is one of the world’s leading democracies - and we are also one of the most religious nations in the world. More than three-quarters of our citizens believe in a higher power. Millions worship every week and pray every day. And they do so without fear of reprisal from the state.
“In our democracy, we would never punish a person for owning a Koran,” the president said. “And we would never issue a death sentence to someone for converting to Islam. Democracy does not threaten Islam or any religion. Democracy is the only system of government that guarantees their protection.”
No punishment for owning a Quran. Only for shooting one.