Pastor cancels Koran burning but doubts remain

The pastor of a church in Florida has backed down on plans to burn Korans on the anniversary of 9/11 in the face of international condemnation from Christian and political leaders.

Pastor Terry Jones of the Dove World Outreach Center has been under intense pressure to cancel the action over fears of a terrible backlash in majority-Muslim countries.

US President Barack Obama said the “stunt” would lead to a "recruitment bonanza for al-Qaeda", while the US’ top military commander in Afghanistan warned earlier this week that the action would endanger the lives of troops. Open Doors said that Christians in majority-Muslim countries were likely to face even greater persecution.

Speaking last night to the press outside his small church, in Gainesville, Florida, Pastor Jones confirmed his church had called off the event and urged other churches not to go ahead with similar plans.

“We would right now ask no one to burn Korans. We are absolutely strong on that. It is not the time to do it,” he said.

Downing Street added to the condemnation yesterday.

A spokesman for the Prime Minister said: "We would strongly oppose any attempt to offend any member of any religious or ethnic group. We are committed to religious tolerance."

Pastor Jones said was willing to call the action off after the organisers of a new Islamic centre close to Ground Zero in New York agreed to change the location. According to the BBC, however, the organisers deny any such agreement.

At the press conference, Pastor Jones said he would travel to New York on Saturday to meet the group behind the Ground Zero Islamic centre.

He said: “The American people do not want the mosque there, and, of course, Muslims do not want us to burn the Koran. 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.”

With the centre’s organisers denying any plans to change its location, it remains unclear whether Pastor Jones will resume the Koran burning if this condition is not fulfilled.

The World Evangelical Alliance was among the Christian organisations to condemn the planned action.

The director of its Peace and Reconciliation Initiative, Stephen Tollestrup, said it would “inflame antagonism” and “place a huge and even dangerous obstacle” between Christians and Muslims.