The Lebanese English-language news portal Lebanon Now eruditely points out that "Crazy religious nutjobs are still crazy."

As published by the portal, a Salafist group that goes by the nom de politique of "The Popular Egyptian Islamic Association" is warning fellow Muslims to abstain from tomatoes.

Rationalizing their decision on religious grounds is based on the following:

    "Eating tomatoes is forbidden because they are Christian.

    [The tomato] praises the cross instead of Allah and says that Allah is three (a reference to the Trinity)."

Not quiet done debasing the hamburger topping favorite, the group went on to state:

    [God help us]. I implore you to spread this photo because there is a sister from Palestine who saw the prophet of Allah [Mohammad] in a vision and he was crying, warning his nation against eating them [tomatoes].

    If you don’t spread this [message], know that it is the devil who stopped you."

News of the (Islamic) World...

This isn't the first curious news coverage the Salafists have been associated with.

Salafists recently rioted in North Africa due to "heretical art" when a film depicted God.

The group is taking credit for a rash of firebombing trade union offices that were the main rallying points in the recent overthrow of former Tunisian president Ben Ali.

The German government has officially banned Salafism on the grounds "saying it has been calling on Muslims to fight against Germany’s 'constitutional order.'"