US government, military leaders warn against Qur’an burning
September 08, 2010
A Florida Protestant minister’s plan to burn copies of the Qur’an on September 11 has drawn condemnation from US government and military leaders. Rev. Terry Jones of the Dove World Outreach Center in Gainesville has received more than 100 death threats since he announced his plans in July.
“Images of the burning of a Qur’an would undoubtedly be used by extremists in Afghanistan-- and around the world-- to inflame public opinion and incite violence,” said Gen. David Petraeus, the commander of US forces in Afghanistan.
Speaking at a dinner marking the end of Ramadan, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton called the planned Qur’an burning a “disrespectful, disgraceful act,” and Attorney General Eric Holder reportedly referred to the act as “idiotic and dangerous.”
“Any type of activity like that that puts our troops in harm’s way would be a concern to this administration,” added White House spokesman Robert Gibbs.
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