Confusion over Koran-burning 'deal'

10 Sep 2010, 10:21 am   -   Source: AFP
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A US pastor claimed he's cut a deal to call off his planned Koran-burning in exchange for moving the planned 'Ground Zero Mosque' - but organisers deny that a deal's been made.

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There is confusion this morning over whether a radical Florida pastor will abandon plans to burn hundreds of Korans in an act world leaders feared could spark a fierce Muslim backlash around the globe.
  
Earlier, Reverend Terry Jones said he'd had a change of heart over burning Korans to mark Saturday's anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks, in exchange for the relocation of a controversial 'mosque' project near Ground Zero in New York.
  
"I will be flying up there on Saturday to meet with the imam at the Ground Zero mosque," Jones told journalists. "The American people do not want the mosque there, and, of course, Muslims do not want us to burn the Koran."

But later, he threatened to 'rethink' the decision.

This, in turn, came after the alleged deal was thrown into confusion when the imam leading the project for the Islamic cultural center in New York, Feisal Abdul Rauf, quickly denied any such agreement.
  
Orlando imam Mohammed Musri, who played the crucial role of go-between in the proceedings, later told journalists he had not yet received confirmation from Rauf that he was willing to meet Jones in New York and that no decision had been made to move the mosque.
  
"I promised him what I can deliver and that is to take him up there to talk to the imam in New York to try to convince him to do that," Musri told AFP.
  
"However, he may put words in my mouth that I have some control over that project, which I told him inside that I don't.
  
"What I tried to do here is to avert having backlash tomorrow around the Muslim world. There is a commitment for a meeting, there is not confirmation yet."

International outrage feared - Defence Secretary puts in call
  
Jones, head of the tiny Dove World Outreach Center in Gainesville, Florida, threatened an international crisis with his promise to immolate the Muslim holy book on Saturday, the ninth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
  
Concern was so high that US Defense Secretary Robert Gates put in a personal phone call to Jones to try and get him to change him mind, warning that the Koran burning would put US soldiers' lives at risk.
  
This rare decision by President Barack Obama's administration to cede to Jones's demand for direct contact followed growing worries of a disaster for US interests worldwide.
  
The State Department warned citizens of "the potential for anti-US demonstrations in many countries... some of which may turn violent."
  
Global police agency Interpol predicted "tragic consequences," with experts fearing riots in Muslim countries similar to those in response to the 2005 publication of cartoons blaspheming the prophet Mohammed.

Uncertainty over Ground Zeros cultural centre
  
Although Jones's retreat came as a huge relief to Obama's administration, there was confusion over what would happen with the mosque project in New York, currently two blocks from Ground Zero.
  
Rauf, a cleric who travels the world on behalf of the State Department to improve US-Muslim relations, says the center would be used to promote inter-faith peace.
  
But the plan has become a major controversy ahead of midterm Congressional elections on November 2.
  
More radical opponents accuse the site of amounting to a monument honoring the Islamist terrorists who carried out the September 11 attacks.
  
Jones cast himself as having single-handedly resolved the standoff thanks to his threat to desecrate the Koran.

Denial over agreement
  
"The imam has agreed to move the mosque. We have agreed to cancel our event on Saturday, and on Saturday I will be flying up there to meet with him."
  
However, the organizers behind the Islamic cultural center immediately denied any bargain.
  
"If we move from that location, the story will be the radicals have taken over the discourse," said Rauf, who has been an imam in New York for more than 25 years.
  
In a later statement to CNN, Rauf reiterated his stand, saying that there could be no horse-trading with Jones.
  
"I am glad that Pastor Jones has decided not to burn any Korans... We are not going to toy with our religion or any other. Nor are we going to barter."
  
As pressure mounted on the imam, celebrated developer Donald Trump offered to buy the site of the proposed - but still unbuilt - mosque in cash.
  
In a letter posted on US news websites, Trump offered to pay 25 percent more than what the current developers paid. He said this was not so much a business deal but "because it will end a very serious, inflammatory and highly divisive situation."
  
Trump also insisted, according to the copy of the letter, that any future mosque be built at least five blocks further away from the World Trade Center.
  

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Your Comments

Stupid

Josh - from Adelaide, 2 years ago

A person should be able to burn any number of books that they own should they wish to do so. Yes, it is stupid, but freedom of speech gives people the freedom to be stupid and to express their stupid opinions. We can all criticise and condemn him though if that is any consolation. There is no reason to cite one individual's actions as a reason to hate or kill others. That is stupidity. He wanted a reaction and he is getting it. Just ignore him.

Ugh...

Erin - from Adelaide, 2 years ago

Yes we will burn it. No we won't. Oh wait, yes we will. This is stupid, just burn it or not burn it already. And while we are at it, lets burn the Torah, burn the Bible, and lets also burn a Buddha statue for all those little monks who get whipped during chants. I must say this man is pure naive and just DUMB. 'Nahhhhh dose god damn Muzlims bombin our bildins and serrvin satan, we'll sure as yall burn ya god damn book to teach yall a lesson and our Muzlim satan servin black president. GROW UP!

Hollow Hero's

Showerbucket - from Brisbane, 2 years ago

Obama should have the Reverend 'Renditioned' (minus torture of course) to Kabul with a Koran and a Zippo Lighter. He should then be given the right to practice his rights by burning the Koran, whilst an apprecative audience of Afghanistani moslems observe Democratic principles in action.

Why???

Delittle - from Sydney, 2 years ago

Why is the media giving this radical the opportunity to vent his misguided notions around the world? By broadcasting this around the world, you are providing the opportunity for a minor pawn in real terms the opportunity of affecting foreign policy and the perception of of an entire nation abroad. This is only going to result is misunderstandings and bloodletting.

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