(British) Army uses replica mosques for Afghanistan shooting practice

[Scurrilous]

The British Army has been using replica mosques on a North Yorkshire firing range in an attempt to replicate the environment of Afghanistan – but the Ministry of Defence says no offence is intended.



<snip>

"Muslim group the Bradford Council for Mosques wants the structures at Catterick Garrison removed and an apology given to the Muslim community.

"The shape of the structures, the colour of the dome - the green dome - symbolises an Islamic place of worship," notes the group's Ishtiaq Ahmed.

"Anyone looking at it will think about mosques and Muslims and think about them negatively."

In response to criticism of the shooting targets, the MOD has explained that the Bellerby range was designed in line with operational feedback received from Afghanistan."

http://www.metro.co.uk/news/820869-army-uses-replica-mosques-for-afghanistan-shooting-practice


Army builds 'mosques' on North Yorkshire firing range

<snip>

"A Muslim group has demanded an apology from the British Army after it emerged that replica mosques were being used on a North Yorkshire firing range.

The chairman of the Bradford Council for Mosques (BCM) said the structures at Catterick should be taken down immediately."

<snip>

"There are seven of the structures on the range at Bellerby, which have green domed roofs. Ishtiaq Ahmed of the BCM said that they were undoubtedly meant to resemble mosques.

"The shape of the structures, the colour of the dome - the green dome - symbolises an Islamic place of worship," he said.

"Anyone looking at it will think about mosques and Muslims and think about them negatively."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/north_yorkshire/8608282.stm

[no_hypocrisy]

1. That is so wrong and reprehensible on so many levels.

[Arctic Dave]

2. To be fair, Muslims use the "golden arches" and unemployment lines on their firing range.

I've heard they are going to expand with a line of idiots min SUV's talking on their cell phones.

[Scurrilous]

4. LOL

:thumbsup:

[Bluebear]

11. :)

[truebrit71]

3. I see nothing wrong with this. They are practicing with images of things they are likely to see..

..should the armed forces in WWII not used images of nazi or japanese soldiers/symbols when they were training?

..Plus, if you knew ANYTHING about the muslims in Bradford you would tell them to pipe down as well...

You moved to the UK, do NOT try and turn it into something it isn't..

I am fucking sick and tired of this PC bullshit whereby the British way of life has to kowtow to immigrants..If you don't like it in the UK, fuck off home..

[Bluebear]

5. 'whereby the British way of life has to kowtow to immigrants' - you always shine such a light.

[dionysus]

10. gordon, is that you?

:rofl:

[Obamanaut]

6. They are just buildings. In the overall scheme of things, buildings

erected to support mythology don't mean a whole lot.

I don't understand how we can say religion here in the US is a myth, but get upset and say things such as "reprehensible" when it is about religion elsewhere.

[Bluebear]

7. It's a matter of respect. "We" wouldn't condone using churches as target practice either.

[truebrit71]

8. Respect is a two-way street..

..these guys are undergoing training for a specific environment..or should they have targets that look like fluffy clouds and pink kittens instead...??

If the muslims in Bradford that emigrated there wish to live in an environment that bends to the wonts of the muslim faith, perhaps they should go and live in a muslim country..

[Bluebear]

9. You have a real prejudice problem.

[galileoreloaded]

12. Tell that to Dave Koresh

Whoops, think I just crossed a line somewhere.