THE Ministry of Defence has apologised to Muslims for using “mosque-like” buildings for target practice.
Fury erupted among the Magic Carpet people after it emerged that the structures being used by the British Army on a North Yorkshire firing range looked suspiciously like Muslim places of worship.
The 'mosque-like' structures which the Army has been using for target practice
According to the BBC, there are seven of the structures which have green-domed roofs on the Catterick firing range.
An Army spokesperson said:
It was never our intention for these generic structures to look like or replicate mosques, only to provide a setting similar to operational environments in which our personnel could train. We apologise for any offence that we may have caused.
We are seeking a meeting with representatives from the Muslim community to hear their concerns in order to discuss the way forward.
A Muslim group has demanded the removal of the structures and accused the Army of reinforcing negative perceptions of Muslims.
The Bradford Council for Mosques (BCM) said it was particularly angry as it had been assisting the army in its efforts to recruit more Muslims.
Said Saleem Khan, the chief executive of the BCM:
They do owe apologies to the Muslim community, and it is the mindset which needs changing.
Ishtiaq Ahmed, another BCM member, insisted that the structures 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.
He accused the Army of reinforcing negative perceptions of Muslims.
What angers me very much is that we are conditioning the young British to say that mosques are a place where you are going to find danger and a place to target. That is really disturbing.
Hat tip: Pete H & BarrieJohn
The Freethinker was founded in 1881 by GW Foote, an outspoken critic of religion. After the publication of 
April 8th, 2010 at 5:52 pm
They should have used this!
http://sidesalad.net/archives/OsamaTarget.jpg
Or this
:http://www.wittenburgdoor.com/.....target.jpg
April 8th, 2010 at 5:53 pm
Oh for goodness sake, are semi circles going to be at the top of a long list of shapes that can’t be used for fear they might offend.Whats almost as ridiculous is the apology from the army.
April 8th, 2010 at 5:57 pm
“Whats almost as ridiculous is the apology from the army.”
That apology made me sad/angry.
As did the fact that they’ll be consulting with muslim groups about the best way forward – hope that doesn’t translate as “we’ll do whatever you want to make sure you’re not offended”
April 8th, 2010 at 5:57 pm
I couldn’t edit that last entry for some reason, bugger it.
http://www.wittenburgdoor.com/.....target.jpg
April 8th, 2010 at 6:00 pm
An Army spokesperson said….
We are seeking a meeting with representatives from the Muslim community to hear their concerns in order to discuss the way forward.
Discuss a way forward? Well f***ing good luck with that one then.
Said Saleem Khan, the chief executive of the BCM:
They do owe apologies to the Muslim community, and it is the mindset which needs changing.
You can’t make this shit up!
April 8th, 2010 at 6:02 pm
@Pete H As for your hope-unfortunatly i think your going to be dissapointed.
April 8th, 2010 at 6:03 pm
Sorry Pete H
I didn’t know you’d already posted the same.
April 8th, 2010 at 6:05 pm
“Sorry Pete H
I didn’t know you’d already posted the same.”
Great minds think alike.
April 8th, 2010 at 6:32 pm
I just wonder what the religion was of the people who did this did this http://www.dailymail.co.uk/new.....riend.html
April 8th, 2010 at 6:33 pm
“Seeking a meeting.” What does that mean. The muslim fundies get in a sulk maybe and reply, “No, you have hurt our feelings and we are not going to meet you until you say you are really, really, really, very, very, sorry, so there.” They stamp there feet.
What kind of army have we got? What kind of leaders? Young men and women are still dying and coming home crippled in corrupt muslim countries in defence of what? We are pouring billions of pounds into “defence” of sod all. Geoff Hoon, former Blairite Defence Minister, caught on the scam big time. What a farce.
April 8th, 2010 at 6:45 pm
“Anyone looking at it will think about mosques and Muslims and think about them negatively.”
-F.F.S!! Nobody would be looking at them if you hadn’t opened your hairy gob!
Negative perceptions??
How about an outdated barbaric ideology bent on world domination & death to all non adherents?
April 8th, 2010 at 6:52 pm
Or they could be referencing Newport College of Art:
http://www.southwalesargus.co......pe=display
I, for one, am personally outraged that the Army should demean this wonderful old building by using facsilmilies of it for target practice. It is an insult to this grand old institution (alma mater of one Mr. Joe Strummer and quondam filming location for Dr. Who) and to Newportonians the world over, and I shall be demanding an apology (and possibly compensation) through the appropriate channels.
April 8th, 2010 at 7:03 pm
“We are seeking a meeting with representatives from the Muslim community to hear their concerns in order to discuss…the way backwards.”
April 8th, 2010 at 7:20 pm
One of the things that gives me a negative perception of Muslims is their constant self pittying whining. I think that is what the army guy should have told them.
April 8th, 2010 at 7:50 pm
Muslims could solve the problem themselves by building mosques that are not so butt ugly.
April 8th, 2010 at 9:05 pm
My father was in Suez and saw his mates suffer at the hands of screaming ab-dabs. I’m glad he’s not seen this. He hates ragheads.
My cousin is currently in Afghanistan. I hope he’s been taught what to shoot at. Why not target a mosque? There’s a good concentration of enemies as well as explosives for their IEDs.
Maybe the muzzies would like our troops trained in a mock-up of Mecca?
(How have the chain of bingo halls of the same name not outraged the cnuts? They’ve been going for years.)
April 9th, 2010 at 12:54 am
Broadsword-I am forced to remind you that they DO NOT wear rags on their heads, using ‘rag-head’ is very insulting!!!!
It is a known fact that they use little sheets of material and should be properly referred to as ‘little sheet heads’!!
April 9th, 2010 at 1:21 am
The fucking diaper headed radical fundies love to hide in historical mosques to avoid artillery. Otherwise they hide in pre-schools, hospitals, and UN aid stations. But, speaking for myself, at no point when a mosque is in the crosshairs, should anyone hesitate to pull the trigger. Extreme prejudice. FIRE!!! reload FIRE!!! reload FIRE!!! etc.
NeoWolfe
April 9th, 2010 at 6:15 am
They should have used real ones!
April 9th, 2010 at 10:36 am
It was stated at the outset by the MoD that they were not used for target practice, just local “colour”. Anyway, there’s a poll on the Yorkshire Post web site that needs Pharyngulating – only 59% think that it was right to use these “buildings”. Maybe because the default option is set to “no” (unless it’s just my browser). Play away at http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/ (Story on top left. I haven’t given a link because now I only get the results, having voted) Hey – it’s up to 62% while I’ve been typing!
April 9th, 2010 at 12:37 pm
I have no time for religion, but I do strongly object to the term ‘raghead’, given that this is very widely used as a racial slur, not in a religious capacity.
This story is interesting in and of itself and there’s plenty to analyse in it. But it’s a story about mosques and Islam and let’s not equate that with crass stereotypes. Granted, millions of muslims wear headgear for various reasons, some of which are attributed to religion, some to culture. However tens of millions don’t and would still take umbrage with this, allowing freethinkers to in turn take umbrage with them.
To reduce things to an us/them stance and deal in cartoon characters is just too easy, reductionistic and is to sabotage one’s own credibility.
Are you objecting to their otherness or their moral position?
April 9th, 2010 at 2:25 pm
71% now, Brian!
April 9th, 2010 at 3:48 pm
Could mods claim they are being discriminated against on the basis target practice dummies have bullseyes on them?
April 13th, 2010 at 9:17 am
What an absolute farce!! When are these foreign nationals (cos let’s face it that’s what they are) going to realise that this is Great Britain. It was founded as a Christian country. Whilst we tolerate other religions we should not cow-tow to them. If they don’t like what the british do, they can exercise the freedon that all people in britain have and P*** off out of the country. When Britons talk about wanting to leave their own country because it’s being run by bleeding heart liberals who do the bidding of non-brits. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not a racist. I have a few black and asian friends. I am a patriot. It’s about time we stood up to the people who are trying bit by bit to change our lives to suit their own. If we were in their countries of origin and did something to offend them, we would be deported if we were lucky, and jailed if we weren’t. PLEASE SIT UP AND TAKE NOTICE. WE SHOULDN’T BE STANDING FOR THIS……