‘mosques’ used on UK firing range, Muslims outraged, demand apology

From The Daily Mail

Muslim fury as Army uses ‘mosques’ on UK firing range

By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 12:24 PM on 08th April 2010

Muslim groups are demanding an apology from the British Army after it emerged that models of mosques are being erected on military firing ranges.

The chairman of the Bradford Council for Mosques (BMC) has called for the cut-outs to be removed immediately.

Seven replica mosques were erected on a range at Bellerby, Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire to prepare soldiers for combat in Afghanistan.

Seven replica mosques were erected on a range at Bellerby,  Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire to prepare soldiers for combat in  Afghanistan

Seven replica mosques were erected on a range at Bellerby, Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire to prepare soldiers for combat in Afghanistan.

The Bradford Council of Mosques said that the structures were  being used as a 'symbol of danger' and served to reinforce negative  stereotypes of Muslims. Pictured is one of Afghanistan's largest mosques  in Mazar-e-Sharif

The Bradford Council of Mosques said that the structures were being used as a ‘symbol of danger’ and served to reinforce negative stereotypes of Muslims. Pictured is one of Afghanistan’s largest mosques in Mazar-e-Sharif

Some of the mosques have single domes and others have double domes, and appear to be targets for six firing ranges around 100 metres away, in full view of the main road.

The BMC said that the mosques were being used as a ‘symbol of danger’ and served to reinforce negative stereotypes of Muslims.

Ishtiaq Ahmed of the BMC said: ‘We are hoping they will take immediate action to remove the structures in question and they also will be very quick to accept they have made a major blunder.

‘We came to know about the structures because a passer-by saw them from the road and felt that they resembled mosques.

We visited the site yesterday and realised that they did symbolise mosques.

‘We saw soldiers on the firing range yesterday and we were very shocked and angered and also confused as to why the British Army would do something like this – it seems like a very silly thing to do.

‘Anyone looking at it will think about mosques and Muslims and think about them in a negative way.’

An MOD spokesman insisted the models were not meant to offend  religious sensibilities, but added that it was crucial for the armed  forces to train at ranges that replicate the environments they will be  deployed to

An MOD spokesman insisted the models were not meant to offend religious sensibilities, but added that it was crucial for the armed forces to train at ranges that replicate the environments they will be deployed to

‘The shape of the structures, the green colour of the dome – symbolises an Islamic place of worship.

‘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 and that is really disturbing.’

‘We will be formally writing to the Army today and will be hoping an apology is issued to the Muslim Community.

‘We have been working alongside the Army in the last six months to help them recruit more soldiers from the Muslim Community.

‘Relationships between the Muslim Community and the Army are very fragile at the moment, and this seems like a silly thing for the Army to do.’

Saleem Khan, the chief executive of the BMC said: ‘They need to remove the structures without delay and apologise to the Muslim community.’

An MOD spokesman said the structures were ‘generic Eastern buildings’ and were not used as target practice.

He said the MOD had ‘no intention’ of causing offence and that the mosques were made to replicate the environment soldiers would face.

He added: ‘Facilities at Bellerby have been upgraded in response to operational feedback from Afghanistan as it is crucial that our armed forces train at ranges that replicate the environment they will be deployed to.

‘Providing the best training facilities for our armed forces ahead of deployment to operational theatres is a priority for us.

‘We have no intention of offending religious sensibilities.’

7 Replies to “‘mosques’ used on UK firing range, Muslims outraged, demand apology”

  1. The MoD doesn’t want to remember the Second Anglo-Sikh war, it seems.

    During one of the sieges, the British had to destroy a mosque which held over 40,000 (?) pounds of explosives and arms. It was one of the largest man-made explosions prior to the blast which occured on July 16th, 1945.

    I say, “bring it on”. Mosques are known havens for terrorists, wherever they are around the world.

    Its time to target them as enemy bases..

  2. Did it ever occur to any one that the mosque shaped buildings were put in there to be missed and not to be targeted,part of a realistic skyline. The PC goons always read something sinister into everything,there is no pleasing them.

  3. Many people do not realise that a mosque is not only a pace of worship but also a training ground for soldiers. Soldiers of Allah that is. The ground in the mosque is not only for the prosternations (the ritual gestures that many people confuse with prayers) but also for exercise. Military exercise that is, nothing religious about it.
    To many bystanders still confuse the islam with a religion – like any other – and nothing more.
    The islam is telling muslims how to walk, eat, sleep, trade, work and fuck. The islam is a way of like, from birth till death everything is controlled by the mullahs and imams.

    Using a moque as a shooting practice is a good idea, finally somebody understood what the islam is. ( a club for people with a sick mind! )

  4. These “mosques” are eligible targets at any time.

    Given that islam is not a religion but an imperialist movement, then these mosques cannot be seen as an illegitimate target.

    A mosque is where they are instructed to hate and are guided by their imams.

    Bombs Away!

  5. the only sick people i see r the people on this thread with their sick ideologies of targeting places of worship & their brainwashed views of a religion they know absolutely nothing about ! i wonder how u guys would’ve taken it if the targets were switched with synagogues or churches or hindu/buddhist temples or the portrait of dawkins even ! u have absolutely no respect 4 one third of humanity & i’m pretty sure the rest of the two thirds don’t enjoy much of ur hate-filled hearts’ respect either ! u people r liars & bigots; nothing more, nothing less ! peace.