Did Keith Ellison Desecrate the Koran?

Here are some excerpts from the U.S. Army's official regulations about handling a Koran:

4. Handling.

a. Clean gloves will be put on in full view of the detainees prior to handling.

b. Two hands will be used at all times when handling the Koran in manner signaling respect and reverence. Care should be used so that the right hand is the primary one used to manipulate any part of the Koran due to the cultural association with the left hand. Handle the Koran as if it were a fragile piece of delicate art.

c. Ensure that the Koran is not placed in offensive areas such as the floor, near the toilet or sink, near the feet, or dirty/wet areas.

Muslims consider their left hand "unclean" -- they use it to wipe themselves, and not much else. For example, from Yahoo Answers:

Why do muslim place their marriage ring on their right hand?

In the distant past, some cultures such as those of the Muslims used the left hand to perform certain "unclean" tasks (i.e. cleaning one's bottom after defecation). Therefore, to put a ring symbolizing the union between man and woman on the left hand would not be appropriate. This practice may no longer apply to Muslims born and/or raised in Western society, but by and large, the left hand is still considered "the unclean hand" in most predominantly Muslim countries.

In fact, a Muslim swearing on the Koran will not "raise his right hand", but rather will place the right hand on the Koran, while not raising any hand. Here is an example of a Palistinian man taking an oath on the Koran:


So, no left hand on the book, use gloves when touching the book.

But at Ellison's fake, photo-op make-believe swearing-in ceremony, both these rules were violated, as seen in this picture:


The woman is holding the Koran with bare hands, including her unclean left hand. And Ellison has his unclean left hand on the book. Earlier (not pictured), Nancy Pelosi also touched the book with her uncovered left hand.

One can only hope that the aide holding the Koran is not menstruating:

Requirements of ritual purity may seem to restrict a woman's access to religious life, but are viewed as concessions. During menstruation or postpartum bleeding, she may not pray the ritual salah or touch the Koran and she does not have to fast; nor does she need to fast while pregnant or nursing.

One can only hope the extremists don't get a copy of this picture, who knows what kind of rioting might ensue from these obvious and flagrant desecrations of the holy book.