Met with heavy criticism from all over the world, including fundamentalist Christian organisation in the US, India, Canada, UK and others, the group led by little-known preacher, pastor Terry Jones in Florida is organising it to symbolise their hatred towards Islam for Sept 21, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Centre building in New York, which since then has labeled Islam as a religion of terror.
Since last week, Islamic, Christian and religious groups in various countries have called on Muslims worldwide and others to unite against Jones and his group, describing them as religious extremists which may dampen efforts to clear Islam of the tragedy.
Terrorists come in many forms and got nothing to do with religions. We have seen Christian, Tamil, Sikh and Buddhist extremist on rampage in the past but nobody blamed their respective religions. Similarly, we dont hate the Jews for what befalls the Palestinians but we are against the Tel Aviv administration for its continuous atrocities on them.
In India, church leaders in the country will condemn the burning of Quran by the 'fanatic' Christian groups in US (here). Catholic and Protestants leader will come together in Mumbai on Wednesday to stress on Christianity's message of peace and condemn those acting contrary to it.
The meeting will be attended by the Catholic archbishop of Mumbai, Cardinal Oswald Gracias, along with bishops of the Protestant Church of North India and other Christian groups.
In Gainesville, about 20 religious leaders representing three faiths and a number of denominations stood together on the steps of City Hall at noon Thursday as a show of solidarity against a small Gainesville church that has commanded worldwide attention for its plan to burn the Quran on Sept. 11 (here).
With the city at the “center of a spiritual storm,” the Rev. Larry Reimer, the minister of the United Church of Gainesville, US called for citizens to rally around Muslims “in a time when so much venom is directed toward them.”
However, what Diana Clark of the Canadian Free Press wrote, drew my attention. "...Certainly, the Bible cautions Christians to reject false doctrine. But that is a very simple and personal act of turning away, in your own mind, heart and actions, from that which subverts or denies the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
"Nowhere in the Holy Bible, however, does it tell us that we are to control the minds of others. God gave men Free Will, because He intends for each of us to make our own choices, for which He says He will hold us accountable..." (here).
Muslims in Malaysia are going to celebrate Hari Raya Aidilfitri in peace and joy. However, those in the US are in fear of the Sept 11 backlash. And in Malaysia, Muslims, Christians and other religions are also against the Burn the Quran Day, aren't we?