Military personnel at a U.S. prison in Guantanamo, Bay, Cuba allegedly desecrated the Quran (Koran) by flushing its pages into a toilet. The news has sparked media interest in the states, and outrage in the Muslim world, especially in the Middle East. Anyone following world news has probably seen a number of articles reporting on the Middle East riots that have occurred as a result. The Quran is the name of the Muslim holy book, and is the guide to the Islam religion.

During the week prior to Memorial Day, thousands of protestors took to the streets in the Middle East. About 15,000 turned out in Pakistan at various locations. Many single locations had 1,000 or more people conducting demonstrations. In Bangladesh's capital of Dhaka, about 5,000 people rallied after Friday prayers, spitting on U.S. flags, kicking them and then burning them. They shouted "Death to America!" and "Destroy America!" Many carried copies of the Quran, held over their heads. At another location, the crowd was heard chanting, "We will cut off the feet that desecrated the Quran!" Other incidences included tomato throwing at U.S. embassies, burning of dolls that represented president Bush, and additional offensive threats to the United States.

In our humble attempt to look at this from a greater viewpoint, here is our view:

Whether it is Quran flushing, Bible-burning, or other forms of desecration to a religion