Thanks to VH, a new one for The List.
Via Wisdom of the Realm;
The U.S. military in Afghanistan expressed regret for a publicity campaign aimed at winning hearts and minds that ended up offending scores of Muslims. U.S. troops on Friday dropped dozens of free soccer balls for Afghan children from helicopters in an area of southeastern Afghanistan, all marked with flags of various countries.
A problem arose in that the balls depicted the Saudi Arabian flag, which features the Islamic declaration of faith and includes the names of Allah and the prophet Mohammed. The idea of kicking something bearing their names is considered deeply offensive to Muslims.
“This ball … carries a message with it which, like an atom bomb, can cause carnage and insecurity in all parts of Afghanistan,” said a leading Afghan private daily Cheragh.
Fawad Ahmad, a shopkeeper in Kabul, said: “Americans themselves create insecurity by ignoring religious sensitivity, it is against Islam.”
A spokeswoman for the U.S. military in Afghanistan said the ball distribution was part of a “goodwill humanitarian aid mission … for the enjoyment of Afghan children.” Captain Vanessa Bowman said the military had been unaware of the sensitivity of the issue. “We do regret any disturbances caused,” she said.
Atom bomb? Good grief! Why not just write it off as an oversight due to cultural differences? Try kicking that one around for awhile.
Trackposted to Outside the Beltway, Right Pundits, Perri Nelson's Website, , DeMediacratic Nation, Right Truth, The Populist, Shadowscope, Stuck On Stupid, Webloggin, Leaning Straight Up, Conservative Cat, Right Celebrity, The World According to Carl, Pirate's Cove, Dumb Ox Daily News, High Desert Wanderer, and Right Voices, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.
