hampshirebrit
04-08-2010, 02:59 PM
...some Muslims are upset. :eek:
The Army was accused of gross insensitivity yesterday for putting up seven mosque-like structures on a firing range.
Muslim leaders said the replicas were used as symbols of danger and reinforced negative stereotypes of Islam.
The fake buildings - complete with green- domed roofs - were installed on the Black Beck range at Catterick Garrison in North Yorkshire.
During training exercises soldiers are instructed to fire at wooden targets mounted on rails which emerge from behind the 'mosques'.
Last night the Ministry of Defence apologised and said it had 'no intention of offending religious sensibilities'.
But a spokesman said it was crucial that the 'generic Eastern buildings' were put up to replicate conditions in Afghanistan ahead of future deployments.
The Bradford Council for Mosques demanded the structures be taken down immediately.
Saw this on the lunchtime news, complete with local Muslims being whiny gay crybabies about the whole thing, as usual.
I'm upset, too ... the army should have put cardboard minarets on the side to be properly realistic, ideally with a cut-out haji on top, directing fire or sniping. I think I shall have to complain.
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/04/08/article-1264482-090C1F23000005DC-249_634x356.jpg
Mosque Madness (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1264482/Army-using-mosque-models-target-practice.html)
The Army was accused of gross insensitivity yesterday for putting up seven mosque-like structures on a firing range.
Muslim leaders said the replicas were used as symbols of danger and reinforced negative stereotypes of Islam.
The fake buildings - complete with green- domed roofs - were installed on the Black Beck range at Catterick Garrison in North Yorkshire.
During training exercises soldiers are instructed to fire at wooden targets mounted on rails which emerge from behind the 'mosques'.
Last night the Ministry of Defence apologised and said it had 'no intention of offending religious sensibilities'.
But a spokesman said it was crucial that the 'generic Eastern buildings' were put up to replicate conditions in Afghanistan ahead of future deployments.
The Bradford Council for Mosques demanded the structures be taken down immediately.
Saw this on the lunchtime news, complete with local Muslims being whiny gay crybabies about the whole thing, as usual.
I'm upset, too ... the army should have put cardboard minarets on the side to be properly realistic, ideally with a cut-out haji on top, directing fire or sniping. I think I shall have to complain.
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/04/08/article-1264482-090C1F23000005DC-249_634x356.jpg
Mosque Madness (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1264482/Army-using-mosque-models-target-practice.html)