US own goal with 'Allah' footballs

'American troops in Afghanistan have provoked anger in eastern Afghanistan by distributing footballs bearing the name of Allah. The "blasphemous" balls show the Saudi Arabian flag, which includes the Muslim declaration of faith and the revered words Allah and Muhammad, the prophet.

The footballs, which were dropped from a helicopter over the province of Khost, led to an angry, 100-man demonstration. "This ball... carries a message with it which, like an atom bomb, can cause carnage and insecurity in all parts of Afghanistan," Cheragh, an Afghan newspaper, reported. Muslims find the idea of kicking the names of Allah and Muhammad deeply offensive.'

Why don't both sides just grow up? I know, too much to ask.

Having 'blasphemous balls' sounds painful, though.  

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