reggie124
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A Florida minister who had created an international storm with his plan to burn the Koran on the ninth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks has cancelled the event under intense pressure, saying he agreed to back off after reaching a deal to move the location of a controversial mosque near New York's Ground Zero.
Terry Jones announced his decision standing outside his small church alongside Imam Muhammad Musri, the president of the Islamic Society of Central Florida. However, Mr Musri and the imam planning the New York mosque disputed Mr Jones' contention that a deal had been cut.
After the news conference, Mr Musri said there was an agreement for him and Mr Jones to travel to New York and meet Saturday - on the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks - with the imam overseeing plans to build a mosque near Ground Zero.
"I told the pastor that I personally believe the mosque should not be there, and I will do everything in my power to make sure it is moved," Mr Musri said. "But there is not any offer from there (New York) that it will be moved. All we have agreed to is a meeting, and I think we would all like to see a peaceful resolution."
Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf said he was surprised by the announcement and that he would not barter.
Mr Jones, the pastor of a Florida Pentecostal church of 50 members, has said that he believes the Koran is evil because it espouses something other than biblical truth and incites radical, violent behavior among Muslims.
Mr Jones said he prayed about the decision and that if the site of the mosque was moved, it would be a sign from God to call off the Koran burning. "We are, of course, now against any other group burning Korans," Mr Jones said during the news conference. We would right now ask no one to burn Korans. We are absolutely strong on that. It is not the time to do it."
His decision comes after criticism from leaders around the world. President Barack Obama, the top US general in Afghanistan and several Christian leaders had urged Mr Jones to reconsider his plans. They said his actions would endanger US soldiers and provide a strong recruitment tool for Islamic extremists. Mr Jones' protest also drew criticism from religious and political leaders from across the Muslim world.
They warned that the plan would put Americans in danger around the world. In Afghanistan, hundreds of angry Afghans burned an American flag and chanted "Death to the Christians" to protest the planned Koran burning.
Mr Musri thanked Mr Jones and his church members "for making the decision today to defuse the situation and bring to a positive end what has become the world over a spectacle that no one would benefit from except extremists and terrorists" who would use it to recruit future radicals.
Planned 9/11 Koran burning scrapped - News - Virgin Media
Terry Jones announced his decision standing outside his small church alongside Imam Muhammad Musri, the president of the Islamic Society of Central Florida. However, Mr Musri and the imam planning the New York mosque disputed Mr Jones' contention that a deal had been cut.
After the news conference, Mr Musri said there was an agreement for him and Mr Jones to travel to New York and meet Saturday - on the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks - with the imam overseeing plans to build a mosque near Ground Zero.
"I told the pastor that I personally believe the mosque should not be there, and I will do everything in my power to make sure it is moved," Mr Musri said. "But there is not any offer from there (New York) that it will be moved. All we have agreed to is a meeting, and I think we would all like to see a peaceful resolution."
Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf said he was surprised by the announcement and that he would not barter.
Mr Jones, the pastor of a Florida Pentecostal church of 50 members, has said that he believes the Koran is evil because it espouses something other than biblical truth and incites radical, violent behavior among Muslims.
Mr Jones said he prayed about the decision and that if the site of the mosque was moved, it would be a sign from God to call off the Koran burning. "We are, of course, now against any other group burning Korans," Mr Jones said during the news conference. We would right now ask no one to burn Korans. We are absolutely strong on that. It is not the time to do it."
His decision comes after criticism from leaders around the world. President Barack Obama, the top US general in Afghanistan and several Christian leaders had urged Mr Jones to reconsider his plans. They said his actions would endanger US soldiers and provide a strong recruitment tool for Islamic extremists. Mr Jones' protest also drew criticism from religious and political leaders from across the Muslim world.
They warned that the plan would put Americans in danger around the world. In Afghanistan, hundreds of angry Afghans burned an American flag and chanted "Death to the Christians" to protest the planned Koran burning.
Mr Musri thanked Mr Jones and his church members "for making the decision today to defuse the situation and bring to a positive end what has become the world over a spectacle that no one would benefit from except extremists and terrorists" who would use it to recruit future radicals.
Planned 9/11 Koran burning scrapped - News - Virgin Media
