Quran-Burning Controversy Still Sparking Unrest in Afghanistan

Posted on Sep 15, 2010

AP / Saurabh Das

Demonstrators gather after having been dispersed earlier when a protest against Quran burning turned violent in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Wednesday.

With an eye on Saturday’s parliamentary elections, the Taliban is evidently making sure that Afghans don’t forget the recent Quran-burning hubbub in the U.S. (thanks a lot, Pastor Jones), as some 800 people gathered in Kabul for an anti-American Taliban-sponsored demonstration that took a violent turn Wednesday.  —KA

Los Angeles Times:

A violent protest that left dozens of people injured in the Afghan capital Wednesday points to concerted efforts by the Taliban to keep alive the controversy over an American pastor’s discarded plans to burn copies of the Koran, Afghan authorities said.

White Taliban flags flew above a crowd of about 800 people who burned tires, shouted anti-American slogans and pelted security forces with stones. Police fired assault rifles into the air to break up the early-morning protest on the outskirts of Kabul.

At least 35 police officers and about 15 demonstrators were injured in the melee, the Interior Ministry said.

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