Sometimes it’s hard to tell whether the US is being ignorant or arrogant. The date of Saddam’s death is one case in point. His execution marks the Muslim holy day of Abraham’s willingness to kill his son, Issac, for God. In the story, Abraham is ready to sacrifice his son for God when an angel stops him. It concludes with the revelation that God was only testing Abraham’s obedience as he refuses the sacrifice of Issac. Hmmm, what better day to kill a Muslim leader than on a day when God refuses human sacrifice?

MECCA, Saudi Arabia (Reuters) - Arab pilgrims in Mecca expressed outrage on Saturday that Iraqi authorities had chosen to execute former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein on a major religious holiday, saying it was an insult to Muslims.

Sunni Arabs at the haj were shocked at Saddam’s hanging which followed his conviction for crimes against humanity against Iraqi Shi’ites.

“His execution on the day of Eid … is an insult to all Muslims,” said Jordanian pilgrim Nidal Mohammad Salah. “What happened is not good because as a head of state, he should not be executed.”

The Eid al-Adha, or Feast of the Sacrifice, marks biblical patriarch Abraham’s willingness to kill his son for God. Muslim countries often pardon criminals to mark the feast, and prisoners are rarely executed at that time.

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