I was recently talking to some friends about one of my favorite topics- crazy heads of state- when my comment that Saddam had ordered a Quran written with his own blood drew incredulous looks and suggestions that these were American rumors. 

According to the BBC, Saddam gave this explanation to the official Iraqi media:

My life has been full of dangers in which I should have lost a lot of blood...but since I have bled only a little, I asked somebody to write God's words with my blood in gratitude.

I feel bad for whoever had to write it.