Pastor Qur’an shocker

A ‘gun-toting’ pastor from Gainesville, Florida, has outraged many Americans with his plans to stage a Qur’an burning day.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has condemned Dove World Outreach Centre leader Pastor Terry Jones’s plans to lead the burning of 200 copies of the holy book. Clinton described Jones’s plans as “A disrespectful, disgraceful act”.

Jones, however, told ABC television, “We’re prepared to give our lives for this,” and said for too long America had failed to act against its enemies.

David Petraeus, the US and Nato commander in Afghanistan, warned of retaliatory action against US troops after protests took place in the capital Kabul at which effigies of Jones were burned alongside the American flag.

Jones has planned the book burning day to mark the September 11 2001 attacks on America.

The Associated Press reports: “Jones, pastor of about 50 followers at Dove World Outreach Center in Gainesville, has drawn condemnation from the White House, the top US commander in Afghanistan, the Vatican, Muslim groups, military veterans and interfaith religious organisations for his plan to burn Qurans on the ninth anniversary of the 2001 terror attacks.”

How the international press has reported on the Pastor Terry Jones “Burn-a-Qur’an” saga:
“Qur’an burning day to go ahead despite death threats” – The UK Guardian online
“Burn-a-Qur’an pastor used flock as slaves, says ex-worshipper” – The Edmonton Journal online
“Jolie hits out at church plan to burn Qur’an” – The Mercury
“An unprecedented and ferocious” attack on Islam and Muslims – al-Jazeera
UN chief “deeply disturbed” by US group’s plan to burn Qur’an copies – Xinhua