Being a foreigner in Egypt, it can get tough. For one (because I understand and speak Arabic), I know how many times people are taking the piss. One incident involved me and a British friend of mine being name called in Arabic openly. It wasn't the fact that we were being made fun of that upset me more than the fact that it was said so openly, in Arabic, in the heart of Cairo's busy tourist center. So much for hospitality and friendliness. Which pretty much sums up how it is in Egypt and the rest of the Middle East & Africa (Africa is too busy with recounts and civil war plans at the moment so might not be so rampant).
Being a US soldier in Iraq must be a whole new experience. Hostile environment, death lurking round every corner in the form of child, woman and man. Arabs smiling cheekily as they speak in native tongue to make fun of your 'looks' and im sure most translators wouldn't bother mentioning what is said, so it just leaves room for suspicion. Suspicion and hate don't mix well.
Lo and behold. A US sniper was caught taking shots at the Islamic holy book, the Quran, as part of his daily training. Not good! For a small (in comparison to the number of militants out there) contingency of US service men in the field. Very selfish of the one man as it has the potential to rain havoc on every US base in and around Iraq and, more importantly, put a serious question mark on any Western initiative in the country (be it peaceful or military).
Almost immediately upon discovery, the man was sent back to the US to be 'suitably punished' and the commander gave an outright and sincere apology.
Being a US soldier in Iraq must be a whole new experience. Hostile environment, death lurking round every corner in the form of child, woman and man. Arabs smiling cheekily as they speak in native tongue to make fun of your 'looks' and im sure most translators wouldn't bother mentioning what is said, so it just leaves room for suspicion. Suspicion and hate don't mix well.
Lo and behold. A US sniper was caught taking shots at the Islamic holy book, the Quran, as part of his daily training. Not good! For a small (in comparison to the number of militants out there) contingency of US service men in the field. Very selfish of the one man as it has the potential to rain havoc on every US base in and around Iraq and, more importantly, put a serious question mark on any Western initiative in the country (be it peaceful or military).
Almost immediately upon discovery, the man was sent back to the US to be 'suitably punished' and the commander gave an outright and sincere apology.
This isn't the first time
The question now though is, how do you teach / show a US soldier what emotions go through a Muslim when they hear their Quran has been shot at. Truth be told most US soldiers wouldn't flinch if someone used the ABC example of the Bible instead of the Quran 'how would you feel then?' point *yawn*. Instead, I would sincerely suggest the Quran be replaced with something much more close to home for a US soldier and that is his combat doctrine. The 45 page booklet that tells him how to be a soldier. His livelihood and in many ways, who he is. Then we see how he / they feel and maybe then they will understand why shooting at the Quran has the potential to get u shot at no matter how many peace deals and sweets u hand out!
It never was about anything else.
