U.S. Quran Burning Sparks Indonesia Protests Outside American Embassy

JAKARTA, Indonesia — Thousands of Indonesian Muslims rallied outside the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta on Saturday to denounce an American church's plan to mark the anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks by burning copies of the Quran.

The Dove World Outreach Center in Gainesville, Florida, said it will burn the Islamic holy book Wednesday, the ninth anniversary of the terror attacks. Local officials have denied a permit for the bonfire on the church's grounds, but the center – which made headlines last year by distributing T-shirts that said "Islam is of the Devil" – insists it will go ahead with the plan.

About 3,000 members of a hard-line Islamic group marched to the U.S. Embassy in downtown Jakarta waving banners and posters condemning the plan. The group organized similar rallies in five other cities across Indonesia, the world' largest Muslim nation.

Religious leaders in Indonesia have condemned the plan and called on the U.S. government to use its influence to get the fire canceled.

Comments

[Fathmear]

05:10 PM on 09/29/2010

Hey Christians and Muslims your BOTH WRONG! So, you can stop bickering now.

[nongrata]

05:36 PM on 09/09/2010

see we need to burn them all!

[Talossa]

01:12 AM on 09/09/2010

Anybody else notice how the picture of Indonesians condemning "American arrogance" shows them waving a banner in English?

[Mark Koltko-Rivera]

03:26 PM on 09/07/2010

There is a movement, "Christians Reading the Koran" (with an associated Facebook group) that seeks to unite Christians in reading the Koran, not for missionary work, but to promote peace and mutual understanding. This kind of movement is necessary to demonstrate to the Muslim world that America and Christiaity are not monolithically or even predominantly anti-Muslim.

[Discomustachio]

12:19 PM on 09/07/2010

I wonder if Fox News will bring it to you live.....

[vernerccbc]

12:34 PM on 09/07/2010

LOL.

[jam2715]

01:29 PM on 09/08/2010

what time is it on?

[Talossa]

12:49 AM on 09/09/2010

Youtube already has plenty of burning Qur'ans.

[Occam123]

12:13 PM on 09/07/2010

The religious idea of God cannot do full duty for the metaphysical infinity.
—Alan Watts

[Liberal2009]

10:20 AM on 09/07/2010

Let's just pick a baren part of the world like green land as a battle ground and let all the muslim and christian fanatics go fight it out to the death and let them live out there armaggedon and may the best fanatic win. Just leave the rest of us out of it.

[meeks]

07:37 AM on 09/07/2010

Two thoughts come to mind with this article. First, I stand in awe on how small the world is now. I know a little slow on the uptake, but it still amazes me that something that is going on here is causing waves in a place so far away. I get it, it is the information age but it still amazes me.

Second thought, as a Christian it terrifies me when people use religion to mask their hate. Any religion, not just my own. I find it beyond my ability to express it here. What they are planning to do is against everything that my religion stands for. Everything. I know the fundamentalist have the media's attention but their idea's are not how most choose to practice. Sad. Truly sad.

[Giveadamn]

05:39 AM on 09/07/2010

I used to live in Gainesville, and ironically, I think that church was the very same one used in the filming of the "The Devil's Advocate".

[Beth Boyle]

02:39 AM on 09/07/2010

I want to stand up as a Christian and condemn the burning of the Quran. It is wrong and it is an act of violence.

[meeks]

07:38 AM on 09/07/2010

Agree. Pure act of violence and hate.

[qdog112]

07:11 PM on 09/07/2010

FF. Good for you. Others must speak out - LOUDLY.

[callmeray36]

02:13 AM on 09/07/2010

He's Baaaaaaack:

Imam behind NYC mosque back in US after Gulf trip
By ASSOCIATED PRESS
09/07/2010 06:56

NEW YORK – An imam who has become the public face of a proposed Islamic community center and mosque near ground zero has returned to the United States following a taxpayer-funded tour of the Middle East, his wife said Monday.

Daisy Khan said her husband, Feisal Abdul Rauf, planned to comment later this week on plans for a $100 million center that has led to an increasingly vitriolic national debate over religious freedom and the sensitivities of Sept. 11 families. She said they would have no further comments until then.

Khan, who has been a supporter of the project and leads an interfaith center with her husband, said Rauf returned Sunday from a 15-day trip to promote religious tolerance in the Gulf. The trip, paid for by the US Department of State, began Aug. 19 in Bahrain and included visits to Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

[bigdaddyvike]

11:53 PM on 09/06/2010

Insanity. I have two Muslim friends in Minnesota who are scared out of their minds, and rightfully so. Krystallnacht anyone? "It couldn't happen here". Really? Will be interesting to jump ahead 5 years and find that we are at war with all of Islam. A sixth of the planet, BTW.

[Occam123]

01:17 AM on 09/07/2010

What would "happen here?"
U.S. will adopt Sharia laws which require stoning for adultery?
Come on. Try to make at least a little bit of sense before posting,

[moflard]

04:15 AM on 09/07/2010

So you have no problem with muslims being terrified in the USA? Instead you posit a completely ridiculous idea of sharia in the USA (don't even try the UK adoption of it for SOME civil cases).

Reply to the point instead of making completely random statements why don't you.

[MolliBlum]

05:38 AM on 09/07/2010

Is that a genuine question, or do you really not understand the phrase "it couldn't happen here"?

[MolliBlum]

05:36 AM on 09/07/2010

Reading some of the outrageous comments on this thread, it doesn't sound like you need to wait 5 years. :-(

[GabbysDad]

10:38 PM on 09/06/2010

Yea Americans! Let's celebrate our freedom of expression by burning the holy book of one of the world's major religions! And let it be done by a group calling itself "Christian," because burning books is so Christ-like.

Keep those eyes spinning counter-clockwise!

[Occam123]

01:20 AM on 09/07/2010

This is nonsesne. No one is celbrating burtning any books. These are actions of one chruich. And yes, they have the freedom to do it. Just as anyone has the freedom to burn the bible or Orgiin of the Species.
In sharp contrast to Iran, any who would publicly burn a Bible or "Origin of the Species" will be
promoted. And any one who burns a Koran will be executed within weeks.

Dig the difference.

[moflard]

04:16 AM on 09/07/2010

Try burning a Bible in certain parts of the USA and see how long you survive. Just because Iran's govt is insane is hardly justification.

[Princeton123]

09:58 AM on 09/07/2010

Can you point to any Bible buring event in Iran or any other Muslim country in anytime in history?

[CarmanK]

09:45 PM on 09/06/2010

As long as these so called religious fanatics allow the merciless beating and rape of women, they are just a band of thugs and cannot know ALLAH, GOD etc.. there is nothing in the Quaran that sanctions this kind of inhumanity in the name of the creator. Islam is not uncivilized but this type of behavior is.

[Princeton123]

09:59 AM on 09/07/2010

So, you support the Qur'an buring?

[qdog112]

07:22 PM on 09/07/2010

"As long as these so called religious fanatics allow the merciless beating and rape of 'black' women, they are just a band of thugs and cannot know GOD etc.. there is nothing in the 'Bible' that sanctions this kind of inhumanity in the name of the creator. 'Christianity' is not uncivilized but this type of behavior is. "

[godwithin]

08:25 PM on 09/06/2010

New York Neighbors for American Values: A new coalition of civic, cultural and religious groups in support of inclusion and equality

On the eve of the 9/11 anniversary, we will join together in support of the American constitutional values of religious freedom, diversity, and equality, and the rights of Muslim Americans to build a community center at 51 Park Place.

Please join New York Neighbors for American Values for a Candlelight Vigil on Friday, September 10, 2010 at 7:15 pm (sundown) – 10:00 pm

Please bring candles and American flags, but no signs. We are gathering in peaceful, respectful remembrance and unity. Our program will include music and words of wisdom from faith leaders and elected officials. At 10:00 p.m., we will walk peacefully to 51 Park Place where the vigil can continue.

Please wear white in solidarity and peace.

Everyone is welcome. Please invite your friends and neighbors.

About the date: We are mindful that the evening of September 10 is Shabbat after the second day of Rosh Ha-Shanah, and also Eid, marking the end of Ramadan. We regret that some Jewish and Muslim supporters will not be able to attend, and look forward to your presence at future events. If you cannot join us, please wear white in solidarity on the evening of September 10th.

for more info http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=115168995204259&ref=mf

[callmeray36]

02:17 AM on 09/07/2010

Anybody can form a new "group". My dog can do it...I hope you and my dog feel better.

[Hpotterfan77]

02:14 PM on 09/07/2010

Wow, aren't you mean spritited?