Faith

Koran Burning Called Off; Ground Zero Mosque to be Moved?

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) – The minister of a Florida church said he has canceled plans to burn copies of the Quran because the leader of a much-opposed plan to build an Islamic Center near ground zero has agreed to move its location. The agreement couldn’t be immediately confirmed.

The Rev. Terry Jones said Thursday that Americans oppose the mosque being built at the location and that Muslims do not want the Quran burned. He said instead of his plan to burn the books on Saturday to mark the ninth anniversary of 9/11, he will be flying to New York to speak to Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf about moving the mosque.

“We are, of course, now against any other group burning Qurans,” Jones said during a news conference. We would right now ask no one to burn Qurans. We are absolutely strong on that. It is not the time to do it.”

President Barack Obama, the top U.S. general in Afghanistan and several Christian leaders had urged Jones to reconsider his plans to burn the Quran, Islam’s holiest text that Muslims consider sacred. They said his actions would endanger U.S. soldiers and provide a strong recruitment tool for Islamic extremists. Jones’ protest also drew criticism from religious and political leaders from across the Muslim world.

Jones said Imam Muhammad Musri of the Islamic Society of Central Florida told him that officials would guarantee that the mosque would be moved.

“I asked him three times, and I have witnesses,” Jones said. “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.”

Musri thanked Jones and his church members “for making the decision today to defuse the situation and bring to a positive end what has become the world over a spectacle that no one would benefit from except extremists and terrorists” who would use it to recruit future radicals.

Update: After Rev. Terry Jones said he reached an agreement with Imam Muhammad Musri to halt the burning of Qurans in exchange for the relocation of the so-called Ground Zero mosque, news reports are suggesting that New York Imam Feisal Rauf, one of the Cordoba Initiative’s key organizers, is unwilling to comply with the agreement.


Comments (129)

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  • Lucy Larue
    Posted on September 9, 2010 at 6:40pm

    We Must Never Forget let me answer your questions.
    No, we cannot be sure that Pastor Jones was speaking with Imam Rauf.
    No, nothing has been confirmed.
    No, Pastor Jones won’t have a security detail. I do not think he could afford it. He only has 50 members in his congregation.
    I will also tell you that no Qurans will be burned in Florida…,but Daisy Kahn and her husband the Imam will continue their CON. They will continue their quest for a mosque at Ground Zero.
    They are operating on two principles.The first is TAQIYYA, the second DA’WA. It is the “STEALTH JIHAD”.
    Both of these practices are used to convince the West that Islam is a religion of “PEACE”.
    In truth it is to advance Sharia. The goal…,a CALIPHATE.

    Report Post »  
    • firedragon
      Posted on September 12, 2010 at 12:13am

      two wrongs don’t make a right. imam speaks with a double tongue nobody knows where he’s coming from. they tricked jones.

      Report Post » firedragon  
  • StrongConservativeVoice
    Posted on September 9, 2010 at 6:35pm

    Rev. Terry Jones is wrong in this instance. Don‘t take a bold stance unless you’re confident in your actions and words. Don’t flip-flop in less than a week. Don‘t draw national media attention if you’re not ready for the heat (no burning book pun intended).

    It is sad however, that Americans that are more prominent don’t come out against the mosque location. If they had, it won’t have come down to Mr. Jones threatening to burn Korans.

    Report Post » StrongConservativeVoice  
    • AsianForTeaPartyConservative
      Posted on September 9, 2010 at 7:24pm

      I still think Rev Jones should have stuck to his gun. It would have been more meaningful.

      Report Post »  
    • Living4Him
      Posted on September 10, 2010 at 12:10am

      There’s a fine line between “meaningful” and “stupid”…either the man knew exactly what he was doing and was looking for a way to gain everyone’s attention as he did without ever really having intentions of following through and burning Korans, OR he’s someone who opened his mouth before thoroughly considering the likely consequences of such actions until having it pointed out to him.

      Report Post » Living4Him  
  • Country
    Posted on September 9, 2010 at 6:29pm

    Pastor Jones said that he was going to fly up to NYC Saturday and meet with the Imam. Drama, drama.

    Report Post »  
  • Thug_N-Wordz_Luv_Beck31558
    Posted on September 9, 2010 at 6:21pm

    They are going to be so upset when the Imam plans do not change and he continues to proceed with building the mosque. I say LET ‘EM BURN! Two wrongs don’t make a right, but the gesture of burning the Koran sure will make a lot of people happy.

    Report Post » GoldMouthDaConservativeHoodNigga  
    • Living4Him
      Posted on September 10, 2010 at 12:03am

      and at the same time probably cost a lot more innocent lives…yep, that will make me happy…NOT C’mon man, think realistically…

      Report Post » Living4Him  
  • FoundersKeeperUSA
    Posted on September 9, 2010 at 6:20pm

    Gennbeckisademagogue-This personsprobaly a leftist or NAACP infilltraiter trying to find some dirt to send it to MSNBC.Like “People on The Blaze.com are talking about rights and honor and how we need to secure our border”.

    Report Post » FoundersKeeperUSA  
    • GlennBeckIsADemagogue
      Posted on September 9, 2010 at 6:32pm

      Relax with the conspiracy stuff, dude. None of the above.

      Report Post » GlennBeckIsADemagogue  
    • GlennFan865
      Posted on September 9, 2010 at 8:01pm

      I think you‘re really a liberal troll who’s here to make the rest of us look like crackpot conspiracy theorists! Go back to MSNBC you troll!

      Report Post »  
  • CyberBoy
    Posted on September 9, 2010 at 6:20pm

    Westboro Baptist church now saying they will burn the Koran is this pastor does not. The media and the curent adminstration giving into minor players is leading to a chaotic future. Where is this going to end?

    Report Post » CyberBoy  
    • Country
      Posted on September 9, 2010 at 6:28pm

      I’m sure someone will burn one somewhere Saturday. LOL

      Report Post »  
    • GlennBeckIsADemagogue
      Posted on September 9, 2010 at 6:28pm

      Maybe the government offered Terry Jones a lot of money to call off his book burning. Unfortunately, such tactics won’t work with Westboro. Those folks are crazed.

      Where will it all end? A lot of innocent people dead, probably.

      Report Post » GlennBeckIsADemagogue  
  • GlennBeckIsADemagogue
    Posted on September 9, 2010 at 6:18pm

    Lastmanstandin: Are you a big Jerry Lee Lewis fan? Me too! Rock on.

    Report Post » GlennBeckIsADemagogue  
  • Hydejustice
    Posted on September 9, 2010 at 6:18pm

    He isn’t going to go with it because he is all about the idea of CORDOBA a Muslim victory over the infidel…

    Report Post »  
  • GraceSullivan
    Posted on September 9, 2010 at 6:18pm

    The imam in NY just proved to me that he cares nothing about the heart ache this mosque is causing Americans! The pastor called this off after an agreement was met. Perhaps Donald Trump can get somewhere! How disgraceful is it that an agreement was met that will not be upheld!

    Report Post »  
  • Desert Dweller
    Posted on September 9, 2010 at 6:11pm

    Normally I don’t have a problem with churches and or religion (I am kind of an agnostic pagan) but there is just something fundamentally wrong with any church that feels that they are Morally superior because they attend said church and in turn attempt to use force (oops there goes that moral superiority) ie burning copies or religious documents, to force their narrow views on the rest of us.

    Last I checked Florida was well over 2 thousand kilometers from the site of the World Trade Center. How exactly are they being affected by a mosque being built there? Is this ignorance or arrogance in motion?

    Report Post » Desert Dweller  
    • lastmanstandin
      Posted on September 9, 2010 at 6:18pm

      I hate to inlighten you on this but it was not New York that was attacked it was America, If you you don’t see that you probablly think that Hawaii is so far from the mainland why would we get worked up over it being attacked.

      Report Post »  
    • Maybe the GEESE Know More than the BEES Know
      Posted on September 9, 2010 at 6:27pm

      sadly, i do not think distance is really the issue here.
      that was an attack on America.
      we were all affected; i cannot imagine if i actually lived in NYC how I would be even MORE affected.

      Report Post » Maybe the GEESE Know More than the BEES Know  
    • lastmanstandin
      Posted on September 9, 2010 at 6:28pm

      The fact that you used kilometers says it all..

      Report Post »  
    • Maybe the GEESE Know More than the BEES Know
      Posted on September 9, 2010 at 6:38pm

      @lastmanstandin
      lmao!!!

      Report Post » Maybe the GEESE Know More than the BEES Know  
    • Desert Dweller
      Posted on September 9, 2010 at 6:48pm

      Oh no my secret is out. I used Kilometers… shame.

      Actually did that on purpose. 1) 2 thousand Kilometers sounds more impressive than 1 thousand miles. 2) I honestly don’t know the distance between the Church of Jones and the WTC so a vague 2k Kilos was safer.

      Report Post » Desert Dweller  
    • JJ Coolay
      Posted on September 9, 2010 at 7:06pm

      @ LASTMAN: LOLOL. Great point.

      Has anyone forgotten a plane in the Pennsylvania field or the Pentagon in DC? 9/11 was not an isolated attack. It was an attack on ALL of America just like Pearl Harbor was. For someone to imply distance is a factor is out of touch. I wasn’t even born in 1941 and felt angered by Pearl Harb

      Report Post » JJ Coolay  
  • Country
    Posted on September 9, 2010 at 6:10pm

    Well who is lying the paster or the ground zero mosque imam?

    Report Post »  
  • Hollis
    Posted on September 9, 2010 at 6:09pm

    Koran is the winner. They burn the bible our flag and want to kill us . We stand no more we will fall. Im not saying burn it Im saying we had the right but no more we are not free. This is a very sad day we stand for not a thing they will take everything from us . So week so sad…..Please tell me this is not the end …

    Report Post »  
    • GlennBeckIsADemagogue
      Posted on September 9, 2010 at 6:15pm

      OK. It’s not the end. Some other idiot will buy a copy of the Koran and a pack of matches. Maybe lots of idiots. Don’t worry, there’s plenty of conflict ahead.

      Report Post » GlennBeckIsADemagogue  
    • Hollis
      Posted on September 9, 2010 at 6:23pm

      I hope not Im sick of this .What ever it takes if it is a fight so be it if its just go your way i will go mine cool . Im just sick of it ..

      Report Post »  
  • fries2112
    Posted on September 9, 2010 at 6:07pm

    It‘s great that Someone with Common Sense has interceded on this guy’s behalf. I support the minister’s right to burn them but find it wrong that he wants to do it.

    Report Post »  
  • WeMustNeverForget
    Posted on September 9, 2010 at 6:05pm

    Does Pastor Jones know for sure he was speaking with Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf. How can he be sure that he will be meeting with Rauf? As far as we know nothing has been confirmed yet. Who will be traveling with him? Security detail?

    Report Post »  
  • hardworkinwhiteboy
    Posted on September 9, 2010 at 6:04pm

    I heard Donald Trump is trying to buy the property

    Report Post » hardworkinwhiteboy  
  • FoundersKeeperUSA
    Posted on September 9, 2010 at 6:00pm

    ok so this guy threatens to burn the koran and maybe the radical will move the mosque? So you got to fight fire with fire? Wow what a concept! Makes me think back to better days when we didnt have a marxist appeaser in the white house.America we need to stand up and start speaking or minds again because PC is going to be our downfall.It wasnt just by accident pc started getting strong here,it was a long and thought out plan by our enemies abroad and domestic to infilltrait our society.It has been working for to long.

    Report Post » FoundersKeeperUSA  
    • Damage6
      Posted on September 9, 2010 at 6:18pm

      Just in the sense of accuracy I have to point out that “Dubya” was almost as much of an appeaser as “Zero”.

      Report Post » Damage6  
  • JEW
    Posted on September 9, 2010 at 6:00pm

    I find it hard to trust them. The interview from the e mam moving the mosque was not a vialbe option to his countries security. I think he is play-in them like a deck of cards. I do not agree with the burning of the koran but I just do not believe them.

    Report Post » JEW  
  • GlennBeckIsADemagogue
    Posted on September 9, 2010 at 6:00pm

    Now that “the Reverend” Terry Jones has called off his book burning, he can cash in on his 15 minutes of fame and perhaps rid himself of his 50 member debt-ridden church. I wonder if it is too late for him to file for some significant election. Apparently a lot of idiots would vote for him.

    GlennBeckIsADemagogue  
  • Maybe the GEESE Know More than the BEES Know
    Posted on September 9, 2010 at 5:59pm

    let’s pray for the imam to change his heart too

    Report Post » Maybe the GEESE Know More than the BEES Know  
  • razor44
    Posted on September 9, 2010 at 5:58pm

    i’m quite certain the imam in central florida has no influence on the imam planning on building the ground zero mosque. this should be interesting once the pastor realizes he’s been bamboozled. after what imam rauf said on cnn, there is no way he’s moving the mosque.

    Report Post »  
  • Ellie
    Posted on September 9, 2010 at 5:54pm

    Sounds to me like the Mosque backers just figured that they would rather make a huge profit by selling the location rather then have to deal with the controversy which would no doubt prevent them from coming up with the $100 Million plus needed to renovate the site.

    After all, $10 Million in profit from this one sale can build plenty of Mosques in middle America.

    Report Post » Ellie  
  • shotgun
    Posted on September 9, 2010 at 5:54pm

    They better stop burning american flags too!!!

    Report Post » shotgun  
  • chrisrbloom
    Posted on September 9, 2010 at 5:54pm

    It doesn’t matter whether or not they move the mosque. Burning the Quran was a stupid idea. We have to make decisions based on logic, not emotion. True, it might make someone feel better, but in the end, nobody wins. Muslims certainly won’t be swayed to Christianity, and it looks like we’re stooping to their level.

    Report Post » chrisrbloom  
  • aprilp
    Posted on September 9, 2010 at 5:53pm

    I am thrilled Jones decided not to burn the Quran. But I am skeptical that they will be moving the mosque. Also I sure hope he was not forced by the Government not to do it. Hopefully he came to this correct decision on his own.

    Report Post »  
    • Maybe the GEESE Know More than the BEES Know
      Posted on September 9, 2010 at 6:29pm

      hey JOURNALISTS….listen to AprilP!!!

      Report Post » Maybe the GEESE Know More than the BEES Know  
    • kralspaces
      Posted on September 9, 2010 at 6:42pm

      I thought Hannity reasoned with Jones on yesterday’s show quite well.

      Report Post » kralspaces  
    • sdkavin05
      Posted on September 9, 2010 at 6:57pm

      I’m curious to see if the Muslim leaders will hold up their end of the bargain. If they don’t, that doesn’t say much for their religion, and as far as I’m concerned that might as well be the go-ahead for Jones. I hope that they both hold up the deal, though. And I hope that Jones came up with the decision of his own free will, not under pressure of anyone else. –An American Soldier

      Report Post »  
    • JJ Coolay
      Posted on September 9, 2010 at 6:58pm

      “We are, of course, now against any other group burning Qurans,” Jones said during a news conference. We would right now ask no one to burn Qurans. We are absolutely strong on that. It is not the time to do it.”

      I actually laughed when I read this from Jones. Kinda funny how they were so ready to burn them and now he wants anyone else with plans to burn them to not do it. Just kinda funny.

      At the same time—I think a good bargain. No burning Korans, no mosque at WTC

      Report Post » JJ Coolay  
    • Maybe the GEESE Know More than the BEES Know
      Posted on September 9, 2010 at 7:06pm

      kralspaces~i agree.
      and hannity’s not my fave.
      he did a great job with that pastor; and i’ll give mini props to soledad with the imam on cnn.

      Report Post » Maybe the GEESE Know More than the BEES Know  
    • rocktruth
      Posted on September 9, 2010 at 8:00pm

      But was the pastor truly wrong? What does the bible say?

      PLEASE READ: 2nd KINGS 23

      NOTE: Allah was a MOON GOD.
      Look up: http://www.biblebelievers.org.au/moongod.htm

      Again please study: 2nd KINGS 23

      Or watch/hear it on YOUTUBE:
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLSinNW1jHE

      Josiah was known as one of the very best kings.

      Report Post » rocktruth  
  • GlennBeckIsADemagogue
    Posted on September 9, 2010 at 5:52pm

    Sarah Palin for president in 2012

    GlennBeckIsADemagogue  
    • Quazza
      Posted on September 9, 2010 at 5:59pm

      Your username and posts don’t seem to mix very well…

      Report Post » Quazza  
    • ME
      Posted on September 9, 2010 at 6:06pm

      This is great no 9/11 mosque and no book burning I think its a fair trade. I do not trust that the muslims will live up to there word though we will see:)

      Yes right now Palin is the best thing:)
      in a state with a surplus of money she cut spending that is real change and courage!!!

      Report Post » ME  
    • GeorgeWashingtonslept here
      Posted on September 9, 2010 at 6:08pm

      Did you notice the update……………Imam Feisal Doofus ain’t gonna go with it……..anyone shocked?

      Report Post »  
    • Sheepdog911
      Posted on September 9, 2010 at 6:09pm

      What a conversion you’ve undergone. Do you suddenly like the opposite sex as well?

      Report Post » Sheepdog911  
    • PeterBreitholtz
      Posted on September 9, 2010 at 7:26pm

      uh uh uh uh uhhhhh (with variable intonation) He was tricked…did you see Soledad’s interview last night? Oh there‘s gonna be a mosque and it’s gonna be a beauty!

      Report Post »  
    • ammon_arms
      Posted on September 9, 2010 at 8:02pm

      Quazza, your username and lifestyle seem to be out of balance. I’m thinking that dude is attempting to be satirical in his comments.

      Report Post » ammon_arms  
    • A Man For All Seasons
      Posted on September 9, 2010 at 10:29pm

      What kind of weird views do you have. Almost all your other posts have been pretty anti conservative and beck, also your name.

      Report Post »  
    • 79USMC83
      Posted on September 10, 2010 at 7:21am

      On Sept. 11,2001 JIHADISTS burned down the WTC’s,Pentagon and a field in Pennsylvania along with 3000 Ameicans. America and the world were shocked but many Muslims danced in the streets. A radical pastor in Florida wants to burn a book and it is the American public that is outraged. The FBI is sent down right away. Where was the FBI while American troops funerals were being protested by the so-called Christian Church. No one will be dancing in the streets if he does this.One thing is for sure many of us are not going to be crying over it either!!! Already though he is being threatened and the American flag is being burned. The media spins the story as usual . It is all about the PASTOR!!! Wrong !! The story is about JIHADIST and the SHARIA LAW pigs!!! Someone and hopefully it is not one of our troops will be killed today in the name of ALLAH and SHARIA LA W!! Where is the POLITICALLY CORRECTNESS when you need it from the media?? JIHADIST and SHARIA LAW come from the KORAN. Not some pastor in Florida,not the Palistine State issue or any othe Western policy. Imam Rauf and the RADICAL MUSLIM’s want it to become a “HOLY WAR” What the pastor is doing is playing right into their hands. Great soundbites for the Muslims to use to preach JIHAD to the illiterate future JIHADIST!!!

      Report Post »  
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