Pastor Terry Jones vowed to continue his Burn-A-Koran Day event. The leader of a tiny U.S. church said yesterday that he will defy international condemnation and go ahead with plans to burn copies of the Koran on the anniversary of September 11.
The Rev Terry Jones has been advised by the senior U.S. leader in Afghanistan, General David Petaeus, that the stunt would put American soldiers lives at greater risk and provide propaganda for the Taliban.
But Rev Jones, who claims to have received more than 100 death threats and has begun carrying a pistol for his own protection, today held a press conference to announce that he will not back down in the face of military, political or moral pressure.
'As you can imagine we have come under very much pressure in the direction of cancelling the event,' said the minister, whose church has fewer than 100.
'But as of this time we have no intention of cancelling.
'We have also, which is something the news media has missed, received quite a lot of support.
'We understand General Petraeus's concern and we are still considering it.
'But as of now we are not convinced that backing down is the right thing to do.
'So we will continue with our planned event '
Rev Jones also met with Imam Muhammad Musri, president of the Islamic Society of Central Florida, who later told reporters he does not hold a grudge against the Gainesville pastor.
Rev Jones, 58, said in July he would stage an 'international Burn-a-Koran Day' at the Dove World Outreach Center in Gainesville, Florida.
But supporters have been posting copies of the Koran for him to put on a bonfire on Saturday to mark the ninth anniversary of the September 11, 2001, attacks and he is now in possession of 200 copies of the religious text.
Rev Jones refusal to back down comes after an American teacher working in Afghanistan warned Mr Jones that his life is in danger because of the stunt
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