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Kabul, Afghanistan, 2006. Credit: Rodrigo Abd for the AP.

That road to hell, as they say, is paved with good intentions. And along the road this weekend in Afghanistan are seemingly endless poppy fields, maybe a soccer field or two if you look hard enough.

BBC reported this morning that the United States thorough understanding of Islamic piety continues to baffle in mountainous nation:

“A demonstration has been held in south-east Afghanistan accusing US troops of insulting Islam after they distributed footballs bearing the name of Allah. The balls showed the Saudi Arabian flag which features the Koranic declaration of faith… Some displayed flags from countries all over the world, including Saudi Arabia, which features the shahada, one of the five pillars of Islam - the declaration of faith. The balls were intended as a gift to Afghan children. The words, which include the name of Allah, are revered, and Muslims are very sensitive about where and how they can be used. Saudi Arabia has complained to the World Cup’s ruling body in the past about the use of its flag on footballs.”

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