There are few politicians and public figures who aren't speaking out against the proposed burning of the Koran at a small church in Gainesville, Florida this weekend, on the anniversary of 9/11. President Obama, The US Afghan commander General David Petraeus, The former British Prime Minster Tony Blair, The Pope, Angela Merkel, the German Chancellor, Sarah Palin, even Kurt Westergaard, the DANISH cartoonist who sparked Muslim outrage in 2006 with a drawing of the Prophet Mohammed with a bomb for a turban, said it is going too far.
Is it understandable that Muslims around the world feel angry by what he's planning to do? Would there be similar outrage if Muslims were burning the bible? Or should this be viewed in the same way as President Obama sees it, as a "stunt?"
Stanley - The guy is threatening to desecrate a holy book for crying out loud! How can you just look the other way as if it isn't a big deal?
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18:44
113631290
Wahab emails - If this person goes ahead and burns the Koran, he might as well burn the bible as well. This is because by doing this he is going against the teachings of christianity and against the teachings of jesus
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18:44
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Archibald652 on the blog - I think that the pastor in Florida should be jailed for hate speech as should anyone else who seeks to stir up violence against his/her fellow man for the sake of forcing his/her opinions on the public
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18:44
113631290
talkative85 on the blog - We have to aware of consequences of Koran which is the main resource of terrorism. Why do no one from Muslim world take responsible those consequences and American takes those problems?
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18:43
113631290
Irene in Texas on the blog - It was known in Indonesia and Afghanistan before major news sources picked it up and the fact that it was known and was causing problems is newsworthy.
Comment sent via SMS
18:43
114577188
Masiko in cali- the islamic community must be careful not to bite into this poisoned bait, otherwise they will only prove his point!
Comment sent via SMS
18:42
111723071
From Â鶹Éç news, heard of ’Koran burning ceremony’. Koran is Divine Word of GOD, & neither is there hatredness nor a word against any religion in the Koran, as pastor proclaims. Burning copies of Holy Scripture won’t solve anything. Moderate Muslim. Kenya, East Africa
Comment sent via SMS
18:41
108865085
You know obama had to respond because the media has made this story so big... he would be attacked by the same media if he did not come out and say something ... peter karanja
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18:36
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Ritesh posts on Facebook - Let him do what he likes to do. Ignore him. He must be laughing after what he has done.
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18:36
111422351
For the first time in my adult life I have to set aside my belief that I do not agree but acknowledge his right to do so. I cannot defend this man’s right to burn the Ku’ran as his right. This intended act carries with it aforethought, and as such he will be responsible in US law for setting out to commit an act that he knows may lead to further violence. Procurement, solicitation, not spur of the moment. Kath. Glasgow
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18:35
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Reginald emailed - The media coverage has been plenty, perhaps too much, however I believe some good has come from it. Muslims, both peaceful and radical are seeing that the hearts of the vast majority of Americans are pure and caring as it pertains to them because they are protesting what is happening.
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18:35
113631290
Ummar in Boston called to say - Muslims should not take him seriously. The Koran is owned by God - so He can look after it.
Comment sent via Facebook
18:34
113631290
Nicole Valcour - he gets attention because our current political framework, and indeed our current politicians, feel so beholden to an increasingly vocal and volatile public opinion
Comment sent via SMS
18:31
111598717
Pastor thinks christians are at war with islam for future of humanity. What kind of battle strategy is it to make opponent angry with NO strategic gain? bob-cle
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18:31
113631290
Clarence in Netherlands called to say - Irresponsible for Pastor Jones to do this. I don't feel threatened personally but my heart sinks to think of this happening. To me it seems like a hate act.
Why can't people ignore Pastor Terry Jones?
| Thursday, 9 Sept. 2010 | 18:00 - 19:00 GMT
There are few politicians and public figures who aren't speaking out against the proposed burning of the Koran at a small church in Gainesville, Florida this weekend, on the anniversary of 9/11. President Obama, The US Afghan commander General David Petraeus, The former British Prime Minster Tony Blair, The Pope, Angela Merkel, the German Chancellor, Sarah Palin, even Kurt Westergaard, the DANISH cartoonist who sparked Muslim outrage in 2006 with a drawing of the Prophet Mohammed with a bomb for a turban, said it is going too far.
Is it understandable that Muslims around the world feel angry by what he's planning to do? Would there be similar outrage if Muslims were burning the bible? Or should this be viewed in the same way as President Obama sees it, as a "stunt?"
Your comments
Comment sent via Facebook
Stanley - The guy is threatening to desecrate a holy book for crying out loud! How can you just look the other way as if it isn't a big deal?
Comment sent via YOURSAY
Wahab emails - If this person goes ahead and burns the Koran, he might as well burn the bible as well. This is because by doing this he is going against the teachings of christianity and against the teachings of jesus
Comment sent via BLOG
Archibald652 on the blog - I think that the pastor in Florida should be jailed for hate speech as should anyone else who seeks to stir up violence against his/her fellow man for the sake of forcing his/her opinions on the public
Comment sent via BLOG
talkative85 on the blog - We have to aware of consequences of Koran which is the main resource of terrorism. Why do no one from Muslim world take responsible those consequences and American takes those problems?
Comment sent via BLOG
Irene in Texas on the blog - It was known in Indonesia and Afghanistan before major news sources picked it up and the fact that it was known and was causing problems is newsworthy.
Comment sent via SMS
Masiko in cali- the islamic community must be careful not to bite into this poisoned bait, otherwise they will only prove his point!
Comment sent via SMS
From Â鶹Éç news, heard of ’Koran burning ceremony’. Koran is Divine Word of GOD, & neither is there hatredness nor a word against any religion in the Koran, as pastor proclaims. Burning copies of Holy Scripture won’t solve anything. Moderate Muslim. Kenya, East Africa
Comment sent via SMS
You know obama had to respond because the media has made this story so big... he would be attacked by the same media if he did not come out and say something ... peter karanja
Comment sent via Facebook
Ritesh posts on Facebook - Let him do what he likes to do. Ignore him. He must be laughing after what he has done.
Comment sent via SMS
For the first time in my adult life I have to set aside my belief that I do not agree but acknowledge his right to do so. I cannot defend this man’s right to burn the Ku’ran as his right. This intended act carries with it aforethought, and as such he will be responsible in US law for setting out to commit an act that he knows may lead to further violence. Procurement, solicitation, not spur of the moment. Kath. Glasgow
Comment sent via YOURSAY
Reginald emailed - The media coverage has been plenty, perhaps too much, however I believe some good has come from it. Muslims, both peaceful and radical are seeing that the hearts of the vast majority of Americans are pure and caring as it pertains to them because they are protesting what is happening.
Comment sent via YOURSAY
Ummar in Boston called to say - Muslims should not take him seriously. The Koran is owned by God - so He can look after it.
Comment sent via Facebook
Nicole Valcour - he gets attention because our current political framework, and indeed our current politicians, feel so beholden to an increasingly vocal and volatile public opinion
Comment sent via SMS
Pastor thinks christians are at war with islam for future of humanity. What kind of battle strategy is it to make opponent angry with NO strategic gain? bob-cle
Comment sent via YOURSAY
Clarence in Netherlands called to say - Irresponsible for Pastor Jones to do this. I don't feel threatened personally but my heart sinks to think of this happening. To me it seems like a hate act.