US pastor won't burn the Quran on one condition

GAINESVILLE (Florida) - US political leaders and Muslims around the world have been outraged by news of Rev Terry Jones' plans to burn copies of the Quran on the anniversary of the Sept 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Screen grab from Youtube of the Pastor in question

The leader of a tiny Florida church says he won't follow through on a plan to burn copies of Islam's holy text if he's able to meet on Saturday with the organisers behind a mosque planned near ground zero in New York. MORE

Quran-burning threat only a huge US media show, says Fidel Castro
The whole affair was 'a huge media show, the complete chaos expected of a sinking empire,' Mr Castro, 84, said reading from a statement after he presented the second volume of his autobiography in Havana.

It seems likely the Quran-burning would not proceed on Saturday. 'I want to be clear and confirm one hundred percent that there will not be Qurans burning tomorrow (Saturday),' evangelical leader K.A. Paul told reporters in Gainesville.

MUIS heartened by NCCS statement
SINGAPORE: The Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) has called the intention of US pastor Terry Jones to burn copies of the Quran a "publicity stunt".

In a statement, MUIS said Mr Jones' plan in no way represents the views of faith organisations in the United States.

MUIS added it is heartened with the statement from the National Council of Churches of Singapore (NCCS) which deplored Mr Jones' intention.

NCCS had described Mr Jones' plan as "hurtful and unchristian".

MUIS said such words of clarity and assurance bear testimony to mutual respect between Christians and Muslims as well as the strong relations among all various faiths in Singapore.