Burning rage

The death toll has exceeded 20 on the 5th day of violent protests in Afghanistan over NATO’s inadvertent burning of Korans.

NATO claims the Korans were seized from a detainee library because they contained inscriptions of “extremist communications.” The Korans were then accidentally destroyed.

Afghans took to the streets in anger, leading to civilian and police casualties. NATO and US President Obama have apologised and promised to look into the matter. But there are deeper issues that we, as people of this world, should also look into.

Did our maker put us on Earth to fight in His name? Should intolerance be paid in kind? Is forgiveness so dear that it should be used sparingly?

In defending our faiths, perhaps we should not cast stones at the devils from faraway lands, but rather at the ones within ourselves.