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By Alexandra Zavis
Tribune newspapers
May 19, 2008

BAGHDAD — U.S. commanders moved swiftly to avert a crisis after a soldier deployed in Baghdad was found to have used a copy of the Quran for target practice.

The incident risked compromising the delicate alliance that the U.S. military has been forging with Sunni Arab communities against religious extremists.

The military said Sunday that the soldier responsible had been disciplined and pulled from Iraq.

Col. Bill Buckner, a U.S. military spokesman, described the incident as "serious and deeply troubling" but called it an isolated case.

By Michael Ware
CNN

In our Behind the Scenes series, CNN correspondents share their experiences in covering news and analyze the stories behind the events. CNN's Michael Ware covers the Iraq war.
art.michael.ware.jpg

CNN's Michael Ware says the Quran incident could have become a crisis.

BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- What the Iraqi fighter found threatened America's vital alliance with Sunni militia.

A week ago in a police station shooting range on Baghdad's western outskirts, the American-allied Iraqi militiaman found what one or more GIs had been using for target practice -- a copy of the Quran, Islam's holy book.

By Khaled al-Ansary, Reuters
Published: May 18, 2008

BAGHDAD: U.S. military commanders have apologised to community leaders in Iraq after a U.S. soldier used a copy of the Koran for shooting practice, fearing an outburst of anger among U.S.-allied tribesmen.

Bloody protests have sometimes broken out across the Muslim world when the Islamic faith has been insulted. The swift apology by the U.S. commanders appeared aimed at avoiding similar violence in Iraq.

The U.S. military said on Sunday the soldier, who was not identified, had been disciplined and ordered to leave Iraq after a copy of the Muslim holy book was found riddled with bullet holes at a shooting range near Baghdad on May 11.

by Sonia Azad
Mar 20, 2008

WASHINGTON-- Muslim troops in the U.S. military  face tough challenges that often leave them choosing between their faith and their duty.

There are nearly 3,400 active duty troops who identify themselves as Muslim, according to the Pentagon.

Link to Video

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla -- Air Force, 1st Lieutenant Ali Jivanjee, of the 58th Fighter Squadron, died due to injuries sustained during an F-15 aircraft accident Feb 20. 

The name of the second pilot involved in the mishap is not being released at this time due to the ongoing investigation; he was released from the Eglin hospital Wednesday and was in good condition. 

The 33d Fighter Wing requests that the media respect the privacy of Lieutenant Jivanjee's family during their time of loss. 

An Interim Safety Board has convened at the 33d Fighter Wing to begin investigating the Feb. 20 crash of two F-15C Eagles over the Gulf of Mexico. 

Both F-15s were assigned to the 58th FS within the 33d FW. The 33d FW is scheduled to return to normal flying operation on Monday, Feb. 25. Thirty-third Fighter Wing Commander, Col. Todd Harmer temporarily suspended flying operations following the crash. 

33rd Fighter Wing Public Affairs

1st Lt. Ali Jivanjee, 58th Fighter Squadron, 33rd Fighter Wing, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.

http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/02/27/apparently-terrorism-pays-it-pays-very-well/

For some time now a trio of self-proclaimed ex-terrorists has been making the rounds of the lecture circuit, charging thousands of dollars for their fantastical tales of life as murderous Muslim extremists.

Their most recent appearance was at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, which hosted the three at its 50th Annual Academy Assembly on the topic, “Dismantling Terrorism: Developing Actionable Solutions for Today’s Plague of Violence.”

Three “former terrorists” speaking today at the Air Force Academy will stick to their area of expertise — terrorism — and won’t be promoting Christianity, academy officials said Tuesday.

“No one is here to talk about religion,” academy spokesman Maj. Brett Ashworth said. “The purpose is to educate future officers and delegates from 50 colleges and universities on the ideology and methodology of terrorists in preparation for leadership positions in the war on terror.”

The “former terrorists” — Walid Shoebat, Kamal Saleem and Zak Anani — will be paid a total of $13,000 for their appearance at the 50th annual Academy Assembly, a conference sponsored by the academy and Columbia University’s American Assembly. Most of the funding comes from private donations through the academy’s Association of Graduates.

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 2/5/08) - A prominent national Islamic civil rights and advocacy group today called on the United States Air Force Academy to offer a balancing perspective at an event this week featuring speakers who have a long history of anti-Muslim rhetoric and whose claims of being "reformed terrorists" have been challenged by experts.