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Attention-Seeking Pastor Cancels Koran-Burning
By
Ben Yakas
Published Sep 9, 2010
Modified Sep 9, 2010
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By
Ben Yakas
Published Sep 9, 2010
Modified Sep 9, 2010
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Pastor Terry Jones has announced that he is canceling his planned Koran-burning that was to be held this Saturday, Sept. 11, on the 9th anniversary of the attacks of the World Trade Center. Instead, he told reporters that he plans to fly to NY on Saturday to speak in person with Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf about moving the Park 51 project. "We are, of course, now against any other group burning Qurans...We would right now ask no one to burn Qurans. We are absolutely strong on that. It is not the time to do it."
The Pastor claims that he spoke directly with the Imam, and was guaranteed by him that his group would not build the controversial proposed Islamic Center near Ground Zero: "I asked him three times, and I have witnesses. If it's not moved, then I think Islam is a very poor example of religion. I think that would be very pitiful. I do not expect that," Jones told reporters.
The organizers behind the proposed Islamic community center and mosque quickly denied the claims by the Florida pastor that they had decided to move the project elsewhere. "We don't know anything about it," said one of the main promoters Daisy Khan.
Jones had previously said he'd only cancel the event if President Obama called him directly, which didn't happen. Perhaps he was more influenced by the fact that several media outlets, including Fox News, refused to cover the event. Although, so much for their self-congratulatory proclamation that this "bold move" would "likely [be] much discussed in coming days."
Tagged
ground zero
Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf
koran burning
mosque
terry jones
Ben Yakas
Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.
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