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May 17th, 2008
Posted: 06:43 PM ET
BAGHDAD (CNN) — A soldier used the Quran– Islam’s holy book — for target practice, forcing the chief U.S. commander in Baghdad to issue a formal apology on Saturday. Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Hammond, commander of U.S. forces in Baghdad, apologized to leaders in Radhwaniya in the western outskirts of Baghdad for the staff sergeant who was a sniper section leader assigned to the headquarters of the 64th Armored Regiment. He also read a letter of apology by the shooter. It was the first time the incident was made public. “I come before you here seeking your forgiveness,” Hammand said to tribal leaders and others at the apology ceremony. “In the most humble manner I look in your eyes today and I say please forgive me and my soldiers.” Another military official kissed a Quran and presented is as “a humble gift” to the tribal leaders. The shooter, whose name was not released, shot at a Quran on May 9, villagers said. The Quran used in the incident was discovered two days later, according to the military. |
 
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