Quote:
Army chiefs apologised Thursday after Muslims voiced anger at the use of model buildings they claim resemble mosques on a military firing range.
The Bradford Council for Mosques called for the domed model structures to be taken down immediately at the Bellerby firing range at Catterick Garrison in North Yorkshire.
"It is so obvious. Even a non-Muslim recognised the significance. The first person who raised the issue with us was a non-Muslim," said the Muslim group's head Mohammed Saleem Khan.
"It is clearly very offensive. We feel there should be an apology and they should be removed straight away. If it was a mistake it should be removed straight away."
The Ministry of Defence said the model structures -- square yellow blocks with green domes -- were "generic Eastern buildings" and were not used as target practice.
But said a spokesman: "We apologise for any offence that we may have caused.
"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 are seeking a meeting with representatives from the Muslim community to hear their concerns in order to discuss the way forward."
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http://uk.news.yahoo.com/18/20100408...g-a7ad41d.html
The Army should explain the purpose of the "buildings", the purpose of the range and then maybe, just maybe there may not be so much offense.