Afghan Army Works To Bolster Its Muslim Image

Yesterday's Washington Post reports that in Afghanistan, the battle between the Taliban and Afghan government forces has become in part a battle over which group are true Muslims. The Taliban has undermined popular support for the Army by telling residents that Army members are "fake Muslims." So the government has developed a strategy aimed at strengthening the Islamic credentials of the armed forces. Billboards with a verse from the Qur'an and added attempts to assure that Islamic law is observed in the Army are part of the effort.  So is the building of mosques on Army bases. American funded radio stations encourage military personnel to discuss religious issues on the air.