A Florida pastor says he will go ahead with plans to burn copies of the Qur'an despite a warning from the top U.S. soldier in Afghanistan that it could endanger the lives of U.S. troops and civilians.
Gainesville pastor Terry Jones, of the Dove World Outreach Center, said his congregation intends to burn the Muslim holy book on Saturday, the ninth anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. He has dubbed the day "International Burn a Qur-an Day."
Upon hearing of Jones's plans, Gen. David Petraeus told The Associated Press "that images of the burning of a Qur'an would undoubtedly be used by extremists in Afghanistan -- and around the world -- to inflame public opinion and incite violence."
But Jones, who leads the small evangelical Christian church that also follows an anti-Islam philosophy, said while he and his congregation are concerned about threatening the lives of soldiers and are praying about their decision, any retribution should be blamed on those who act out violently.
"We think it's time to turn the tables, and instead of possibly blaming us for what could happen, we put the blame where it belongs -- on the people who would do it," Jones told AP. "And maybe instead of addressing us, we should address radical Islam and send a very clear warning that they are not to retaliate in any form."
Jones signalled his intentions back in July, when he announced his church would stage the event. While he says some supporters have mailed him copies of the Qur'an to burn, he has also received more than 100 death threats, which has prompted him to start carrying a .40-calibre pistol.
Jones's plans have sparked outrage among U.S. government officials.
State Department spokesperson P.J. Crowley called the plans "un-American," and said they don't reflect the views of the majority of Americans.
"We hope that between now and Saturday there will be a range of voices across America that make clear to this community that this is not the way for us to commemorate 9/11," he said. "In fact, it is consistent with the radicals and religious bigots who attacked us on 9/11."
During an interfaith meeting in Washington Tuesday consisting of evangelical, Roman Catholic, Jewish and Muslim leaders to discuss recent anti-Islam incidents in the U.S., Attorney General Eric Holder called the church's plan both idiotic and dangerous.
Rabbi Steve Gutow of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, who attended the meeting, said the church's intentions do not reflect "the America that we all have grown to love and care about."
"We have to stand up for our Muslim brothers and sisters and say, 'This is not OK.'"
White House spokesperson Robert Gibbs said "any type of activity like that that puts our troops in harm's way would be a concern to this administration."
Even the Vatican newspaper, L'Osservatore Romano, ran a story criticizing Jones's plan under the headline, "No one burns the Qur'an."
A number of churches, mosques and temples in the Gainesville area have planned inclusive events to mark Saturday's anniversary, while a student group plans to protest across the street from Jones's church.
But despite the criticism, Jones steadfastly maintained his opinion that the Qur'an is "evil." His church, which includes about 50 congregants, gained notoriety last year for posting signs out front that said "Islam is the Devil." Jones has long claimed the Muslim holy book incites violence.
"It's hard for people to believe, but we actually feel this is a message that we have been called to bring forth," he said last week. "And because of that, we do not feel like we can back down."
