Barack Obama: Koran-burning gives al Qaeda recruiting tool

9/11 protest: the Rev Terry Jones has refused calls to back down
12 April 2012

Barack Obama urged a US pastor to abandon plans to burn the Koran today and warned that the event would be used as an al Qaeda recruiting tool.

The American president appeared on network television to make a direct appeal to Terry Jones to cancel his stunt.

Downing Street also condemned the pastor, who plans to burn the books in a bonfire at his church in Florida on Saturday to mark the ninth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.

President Obama told a TV programme that he hoped that Mr Jones listened to the pleas because book burning was "completely contrary to our values as Americans".

"This country has been built on the notion of freedom and religious tolerance. This is a recruitment bonanza for al Qaeda," he said.

"You could have serious violence in places like Pakistan or Afghanistan. This could increase the recruitment of individuals who would be willing to blow themselves up in American cities or European cities."

The Rev Jones responded by telling the USA Today newspaper he might call off the protest if the President asks him.

"That would cause us definitely to think it over," he said.

"That's what we're doing now. I don't think a call from them is something we would ignore."

This morning Tony Blair added his voice to those urging the Rev Jones to call off his protest.

Mr Blair, who founded a Faith Foundation to promote understanding between the world's religions, said: "I deplore the act of burning the Koran. It is disrespectful, wrong and will be widely condemned by people of all faiths and none. In no way does this represent the view of any sensible person in the West or any other part of the world.

"Those who wish to cause religious conflict are small in number but often manage to dominate the headlines. You do not have to be a Muslim to share a sense of deep concern. Rather than burn the Koran, I would encourage people to read it."

More condemnation came from Sarah Palin, who wrote on her Facebook page: "Book burning is antithetical to American ideals."

The former Republican vice-presidential candidate said: "I would hope that Pastor Terry Jones and his supporters will consider the ramifications of their planned book-burning event. It will feed the fire of caustic rhetoric and appear as nothing more than mean-spirited religious intolerance. Don't feed that fire."

General David Petraeus, US commander of forces in Afghanistan, has warned that his troops could face fresh threats if the event went ahead.

Pakistan's president also condemned the "despicable" proposal to burn the holy book and warned it could spark serious violence.

Pastor Jones said supporters had posted copies of the Islamic holy text to his Gainesville church of about 50 followers. He said: "As of right now, we are not convinced that backing down is the right thing."

The Gainesville fire department has denied Mr Jones a required burn permit but under the US constitution he has the right to burn the Korans, with or without the city's permission.

The Military Religious Freedom Foundation, which aims to protecting US troops from religious intolerance, said it would buy one new Koran and donate it to the Afghan National Army for each one burned.

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