"Burn A Quran" Day Still On, Despite Petraeus Warning

A Florida pastor says he is now “weighing” plans to follow through with a scheduled “Burn A Quran” day on the anniversary of September 11 after Gen. David Petraeus warned that the event would endanger the lives of U.S. troops and would also be detrimental to U.S. efforts in the Afghanistan. 

Despite warnings and condemnation from top U.S. military and government officials, the Florida pastor said the proceedings will continue as scheduled.

“We have firmly made up our mind, but at the same time, we are definitely praying about it,” Terry Jones, pastor of Dove World Outreach Center in Gainseville, Florida told CNN in an interview.

According to recent reports, Jones said in response to warnings from Petraeus and others that “it’d be tragical if because of this one person died. But at the same time, we do not feel responsible for that.” 

Known to the social media world as “International Burn A Koran Day,” the event has nearly 9,000 Facebook supporters.

“On September 11th, 2010, from 6pm - 9pm, we will burn the Koran on the property of Dove World Outreach Center in Gainesville, FL in remembrance of the fallen victims of 9/11 and to stand against the evil of Islam. Islam is of the devil!” the page reads.

The Facebook page sparked the creation of dozens of other pages denouncing the event and the intentions of Jones. Additionally, the event has also ignited a series of protests in Kabul, Afghanistan where hundreds have gathered for two consecutive days burning American flags and effigies of the pastor and shouting “Death To America.”