It's not as far-fetched as it sounds. The Sepoy Rebellion in India happened because the Native troops (Sepoys) were told by nationalist agitators that the paper cartridges for their new rifles were greased with pig fat to make them waterproof. This was for the Muslim troops. The Hindus were told it was beef tallow.
For Muslims, the pig is unclean; for Hindus, the cow is sacred. You can see the makings of splendid complications here.
The rumor worked; the troops rose up and began killing all the English men, women, and children they could find.
There's no reason it couldn't work again. You'd just have to be very careful to do it in such a way as not to offend those Muslim countries that retain some small bit of friendship for us.

troll