Ahlul Bayt News Agency, Terry Jones, who heads the Dove World Outreach Center in Gainesville Florida, said on Tuesday that despite condemnations he and his church were determined to torch the Quran on the ninth anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks.
He was referring in part to remarks by top US military commander in Afghanistan David Petraeus who denounced the Florida church's decision to burn the Quran, warning that the action could put at risk the lives of American soldiers involved in wars overseas.
Jones said "We are taking the general's words very serious. We are continuing to pray about the action on September 11th."
He, however, added that the church was decisive in going ahead with burning Islam's holy book.
"Instead of us being blamed for what other people will do or might do, why don't we send a warning to them? Why don't we send a warning to radical Islam and say, don't do it. If you attack us, we will attack you," Jones said.
The US pastor proclaimed that by setting the Quran on fire on Saturday his church wants "to remember those who were brutally murdered on September 11th," and to send a warning "to the radical elements of Islam."
Anti-Islam sentiments are on the rise in the United States despite claims that it embraces all religions and faiths.
Arson attacks against mosques are growing and American Muslims receive frequent threats for their religious identity.
source : http://abna.ir/
