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Evangelical Christian Group in Florida Plans to Burn Korans

   Brian Wagner | Gainsville, Florida 07 September 2010
   Reverend Terry Jones

Photo: B. Wagner, VOA

   Reverend Terry Jones

   A  small evangelical Christian group in the southeastern U.S. state of
   Florida  on Saturday plans to burn Korans as a protest against violent
   Islamic  extremists.  The  day  marks  the  ninth  anniversary  of the
   terrorist attacks against the United States on September 11, 2001. The
   church has a right to burn the holy book under the U.S. constitution's
   First  Amendment,  which  guarantees  freedom  of  speech.  But  other
   religious  leaders  in  Florida  fear  the  event  will send the wrong
   message about religious tolerance.
   The  firewood  is  cut at Dove World Outreach Center. And the church's
   pastor, Reverend Terry Jones, says despite receiving death threats, he
   and  other  church  members  plan  to  burn  200  Korans  on Saturday.
   "International  Burn  a  Koran  Day.  This, we only put up because our
   smaller sign was vandalized many times," he said.
   Reverend  Jones  says he and other members now carry pistols to defend
   the congregation of some 12 people.
   He  says  the goal of burning Korans is to send a message to al-Qaida,
   the  violent  Islamic  group that carried out the terrorist attacks in
   New York and Washington nine years ago.
   "That  led  us  to  International Burn a Koran Day, to honor those who
   were  murdered  at that time [September 11th]. And to put a real clear
   message  out  to  Islam that we will not tolerate, we do not want them
   trying  to  push  their  agenda  on us, in other words Sharia law," he
   said.
   Reverend  Jones  says  Islamic  extremism poses a threat to the United
   States and the world. But he says moderate Muslims should feel free to
   practice  their  faith in the country. He says the church's message is
   not intended for all Muslims.
   "We are not hateful toward Muslims. We are not aiming this at Muslims,
   we are aiming this at Sharia law."
   In  Afghanistan,  some  people  feel  the  event  is aimed directly at
   Muslims  everywhere.  Hundreds  rallied in Kabul to denounce Jones and
   any desecration of the Koran.
   And  top  commander  of  U.S.  and NATO forces in Afghanistan, General
   David  Petraeus,  says the Koran burning may lead Islamic militants to
   launch new attacks on western troops.
   In  Florida,  Muslim  leaders at one mosque are calling for a tempered
   response.
   The  Darul  Uloom Institute in Pembroke Pines gathered congregants and
   leaders  of  other  religions  to  discuss  the planned Koran burning.