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Imam: “We’re a country of justice for all”
(CNN) - The religious leader behind plans to erect an Islamic center and mosque a few blocks from New York's ground zero said Wednesday night that America's national security depends on how it handles the controversy.
"If we move from that location, the story will be the radicals have taken over the discourse," Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf told CNN's Soledad O'Brien on "Larry King Live."
"The headlines in the Muslim world will be that Islam is under attack."
The imam, who repeatedly said his mission was to promote peace and build a bridge among faiths, said he was also speaking about "radicals" on both sides of the debate on the Islamic center. "Our national security now hinges on how we negotiate this, how we speak about it."
"The battlefront is between moderates of all sides... and the radicals on all sides," he said.
Moving the project to another location would strengthen Islamist radicals' ability to recruit followers and will likely increase violence against Americans, the imam said.
Rauf said that "nothing is off the table" when asked whether he would consider moving the site.
"We are consulting, talking to various people about how to do this so that we negotiate the best and safest option." Read more
Vatican: Quran burning 'outrageous'
CNN) - Burning the Quran would be an "outrageous and grave gesture," the Vatican said Wednesday, joining a chorus of voices pleading with a small Florida church not to burn Islam's holy book on the anniversary of the September 11, 2001, attacks.
The Vatican body responsible for dialogue with other religions expressed "great concern" about the plan by Dove World Outreach Center in Gainesville, Florida.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said it would be a "disrespectful, disgraceful act." She was speaking Tuesday night at a State Department dinner in honor of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
Her statement came a day after the top U.S. military commander in Afghanistan, Gen. David Petraeus, warned that the plan "could cause significant problems" for American troops overseas.
But despite the growing pressure, the pastor of the Florida church, Terry Jones, said Wednesday that "as of this time we have no intention of canceling."
Jones all week has rebuffed pleas to call off the event, saying radical Islamists are the target of his message.
"The general needs to point his finger to radical Islam and tell them to shut up, tell them to stop, tell them that we will not bow our knees to them," Jones said on CNN's "AC360."
"We are burning the book," Jones said. "We are not killing someone. We are not murdering people." Read more
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One other thing.. I am quite frankly tired of being threatened by Muslims.. " if you don't let us build our mosque..we will attack you... if you burn our Koran we will attack you.." whatever... why dont you try practicing peace and tolerance . then maybe people would want you around.. but its because you act like radical idiots that gives your religion a bad name.. Its up to YOU to clean it up.. Not us!~
I just don't understand this whole mess. Muslims can go on TV and chant " Death to America" ..burn American flags and all other sorts of offensive things..and a man wants to burn a few books and they get all upset about it? He has the right to burn them...
And as far as Burning the Koran being dangerous because it will incite Muslims to harm Americans?? Well newsflash people.. they already killed 3000 Americans.....Muslims are the ones who need to learn tolerance of others and others rights. End of story,
WHY SHOULD WE HAVE TO TIPTOE AROUND THEM? THEY BURN OUR FLAGS, BURN SOLDERS BODIES THEN DRAG THEM THROUGH THE STREETS, HANG DEAD AMERICANS FROM BRIDGES, CUT THE HEADS OFF PEOPLE WHO ARE ALIVE AND ON FILM, AND LETS NOT FORGET THE STREET PARTIES HANDING OUT CANDY TO CHILDREN TO CELIBRATE ON THE DAY THE TOWERS CAME DOWN KILLING THOUSANDS OF AMERICANS. NOW DONALD TRUMP OFFERS TO BUY THE NY SITE FOR 25 PERCENT MORE WITH NY OFFERING ANOTHER DOWNTOWN SITE AND THEY SCOFF AT IT. THEY ARE GOING TO KILL AMERICANS EVERY CHANCE THEY GET NO MATTER WHAT WE DO. IF THEY HAVE A LEGAL RIGHT TO BURN THOSE BOOKS LET THEM DO IT. THE PRESIDENT SHOULD NOT BE TELLING HIS GENERALS TO SPEAK OUT ON THIS. THEY HAVE ENOUGH TO DO. HOW DARE WE LISTEN TO THEM.
America! Land of the brave. Home of the free.
Your feeble attempts to ridicule Pastor Jones are pathetic. Since when does does burning any book threaten lives? Who exactly would be wielding kives and slitting throats, and under what pretext?
The hard questions you should be asking are why are followers of the self-proclaimed "religion of peace" rioting, burning American flags and chanting "death to America"? Somewhat of an overreacton, wouldn't you agree?
TO Jessica Brown: I have never read anything so eloquent, truthful and current about Islam, since 9/11.
To all here:
It is the Pastor's right to burn the Qur'ran and he cannot be arrested. This is a sign of fear and not hate, and i think is also a sign that Americans, little by little, are waking up to what it means to be Muslim in the world and what Islam really stands for.
I think the Imam can go build his Mosque wherever he wants BUT NOT 500 FT away from Ground Zero.
I think the Imam is doing this with foreign questionable funds... And the landlord is a Muslim, who purchased the property with $$ form an Egyptian investor.. really?? A waiter who became a multi-millionaire overnight... really? I'm sorry, but in this economy who becomes a multi-millionaire over night?? The Landlord is a front man for the Islam movement and is a way to laundry the funds and to finance these acts.
And I love how the Imam has the B**ls to tell all of us that we (those that don't agree with the Mosque) are the Radicals whom are provoquin violence.
AMERICAN PEOPLE WAKE UP!!!
With all this backlash against Islam and the Muslins because of the event of September 11, 2001, why don't the non-radical Muslins supporting the non violence portion of the Kuran take matters in their own hands to remove their radical faction. I don't see the muslin world removing these radicals. They did not turn in Bin Laden. They are standing back letting the Anglo-Saxon portion of the world to remove their problems. These radical muslins are using this religion to hide behind and making all muslins look bad. If I was a devout muslin, I would be offended. Their image would be greatly enhanced to the non-muslin world if they would start turning in their radical brothers.
I have heard this man talk, and his "facts" are absurd and absolutely false. He has generalized the entire Middle East as being Saudi Arabia. i live in the Middle East with my family and we are appalled at the immaturity and ignorance of this lash out against Islam. The Islam religion is a peaceful one and yes, there is a small minority that have been violent and lashed out against Americans and other peoples but isn't that the same with all religions? Every group of people, every religion, race, ethnicity, etc has the radicals that take things to extreme. The Koran gives women and men equal rights, women have rights in the Islam religion. in Saudi Arabia, and other radical places, yes things are unfair but that is NOT representing the entire religion. Muslims are some of the most peaceful and kind people and this is during their most religious time of year – Eid which follows Ramadan, a period of fasting. This act is putting my family and other families living overseas in danger. I heard the pastor say "What is one American life, one marine life, etc" well that one life is my life, my sister's life, my friend's life. Who is he to say what my life is worth or my fellow expat's life? He is generalizing an entire people and ruining our global reputation which has already been greatly ruined due to the wars we have started in the Middle East. The fact that this man is disrespecting an entire people and putting millions of Americans' lives who are travelling, living, or fighting abroad at risk is the most un-American and anti-religious thing I can think of. WE are not to judge Islam and call it demonic or burn it's most sacred book. This lash out against Islam should not be followed through with – think of the people you are insulting, the people's lives you are risking, think of the value of freedom and justice and of America's global reputation. Please, keep that in mind before you burn a book sacred to millions and millions of people.
I just moved back to the U.S from living in the Middle East for the past four years. They were quiet possibly the best four years of my life. My family and my friends are still over in the Middle East and this puts their lives at risk. It's not anymore just a matter of the U.S troops in Afghanistan who are being put at risk, but its EVERYONE else who is living over seas and being exposed to this ridiculous event of true ignorance and arrogance. My family and friends are being put at risk because this "pastor" believes he has a right to teach Islam a lesson. It is not right for anyone, let alone this ignorant pastor, to relate Islam to Saudi Arabian radical views. No one is saying that they agree with their governing, however just because it happens to be radical doesn't mean that all Middle Eastern people, or Muslims believe the same things. I have many friends who are Muslim and we are appalled and terrified at what this will lead to! My friends and I are laughing in regard to this close minded man who knows absolutely nothing about the world except the world that he lives in. I would say he should go outside of the states and experience a different culture other than his own, but after what problems he has just started, he is not welcome anywhere!
Phil, Could not agree with you more.....This isn't an earth shaking event! If the news media would ignore this NON-EVENT...it would be just that!
Why does every moron get this kind of media? There is so much to report on...and could use more in depth coverage.
CNN – Larry King Show with Soledad O’Brien and Anderson Cooper’s 360
Dear folks:
Soledad O’Brien was a wonderful interviewer of Imam Rauf. She questioned and allowed him to reply without typical interruptions so that we could hear and see him, unobstructed. I would have liked her to ask the following questions, as well as questions that might have been asked by an apostate, such as Walid Shoebat or Nonie Darwish.
• “Why have you chosen the name ‘Cordoba Initiative’ and ‘Cordoba Mosque?’” Here’s what the world should have heard in reply:
Spain was ruled by the Visigoth King Roderigo when Muslims (Moors) conquered Spain. Muhammad ibn Abhallah feigned agreement to peace (taqiyyah mandated in the Koran) during the conflict and then killed and beheaded the king, parading his head on a pole for all to see, and sent it to the Caliph of Damascus. A compulsive murderer, he killed 800 Jews. He was also a lecherous bandit and pedophile with 16 wives, the youngest being age 9. It was then that the Spanish learned their lesson – more quickly than the Persians, Byzantines, and Jews – and set to reconquering (La Reconquista) their country, but didn’t succeed until 1492.
In the meantime, Christians and Jews were made to pay the jizya tax, and were drafted for slave labor to demolish churches and build mosques. This included demolishing the Visigoth church and replacing it with the Cordoba Mosque, after which Imam Rauf wants to name the Ground Zero mosque, both symbols of triumph. The conquered people were forbidden from carrying weapons, riding horses, wearing shoes, ringing church bells, wearing green, proclaiming the divinity of Jesus, holding public office, testifying in court, and marrying Muslim women.,
It is Muslim law to never have peace with Jew or Christian for more than 10 years, and to use that time to prepare for the next onslaught in a never-ending jihad against infidels. This was also the first time that Jews were forced to wear yellow badges for identification, the precursor to the Nazi rule during the Holocaust.
• Is this "Golden Era of Islam" what you are hoping to restore – but in America?
• Are you as eager to bring churches and synagogues to the Middle East as you are to bring this mosque to NYC? And did you not once call it a caliphate?
• You are threatening America with another terrorist attack if we don’t acquiesce to an Islamic mosque on Ground Zero; isn’t that what Sharia law is all about?
• You called Americans Sharia-compliant. Wouldn’t your coercing us to give up this land be a form of Sharia-compliance?
• You once said you will install Sharia law. Will that include stoning, beheading, amputation, honor killing, genital mutilation? These are NOT in the US Constitution, so how will you accomplish this?
• American did nothing to “earn” the first terrorist attack, and what reasons do you have for the 16,000 jihad attacks worldwide (against 5 religions) since 9/11?
• You speak about the Florida pastor burning the Koran, but do you speak out when Muslims burn the American and Israeli flags or bibles in celebration?
• If you truly have in mind an interfaith edifice, why would you continue to call it a mosque and why fashion it in typical Islamic architecture?
• Kathleen Parker was an apologist, with her “Understanding the context.” The context includes: Pushing Israel to the wall, seeing jihad worldwide, seeing Muslims riot and bringing terror to Europe, and the UN being more pro-totalitarian Arab than pro-democracy.
• In the interest of peace, will you ever remove the death threat (fatwa) from apostates?
• You said you were interested in peace in Israel? What specific actions have you taken with the Palestinians?
• The Burlington Coat Factory is Ground Zero; it had plane parts, body parts, and human ashes. Why do you refuse to find another site and tell the Arab world that this is YOUR decision as a gesture of good will. Otherwise, your prediction of attack and death will be on your head.
If Islam is a religion of peace, then why are we afraid of Muslim terrorists coming to attack us if their holy book is burned. If a few Muslims decided to burn the Bible, would Christian "terrorists" fly an airplane into one of their buildings?
I do not believe the underlying issue is religion. There is a pervasive fear amongst Americans toward radical Muslims that we are too proud to admit which has manifested in the current outrage. Most Americans would not blow themselves up to kill woman and children. The fact that we do not know who they are or when they will strike adds frustration to the outrage. People are very aware that we have never been able to find Bin Ladin to satisfy the need for justice 9 years after September 11th. Stopping the mosque may be seen as a small victory by many.
@Quran Burning... President Obama should "Man-up" and do something instead of nothing...Is he willing to just stand by and let it happen? I suppose the people pulling his strings told him not to...If I was President I would have the Pastor arrested for insighting a dangerous act to a religion. It is to mess with another being's religion...I am sorry to what happened on 9/11 but we must learn from it, get over it, and move on!
@Nick... I agree.
Israel is the root cause of all the problems between the US and Muslims. Always has been.
Americans have shown for decades that they disregard Muslims to suck up to the Israelis. The more America blindly supports the terrorism that Israel commits on a daily basis more of a problem America will suffer.
America needs to be less "jewish", more American in thought and to treat ALL peoples of the world equally.
I am a Christian. Even though the Quran is filled with false teachings, I don't agree with the nut case in Florida burning the Muslim's holy book.
Here is a little known fact about the difference between the bible and Quran.
The bible was written by numerous authors (plural) prophesing the coming of Christ, which came true, as well as his crucificxion, death, burial and resurecction. All of this took place over a 1200 year period, by over 40 authors, on several continents.
Now, let's look at the Koran. It was written 700 years AFTER Christ's assencion, by ONE lone author.
Of course, this ONE author could pick and choose what he wanted to put in his "revelation" from God.
I find it worth noting that this "pastor's" last name is Jones. I seem to recall another infamous "pastor" with the last name of Jones and a certain "poison koolaid episode." Radicism and hatred is not the American way, much less the Christian way. The reports I have read about fearing for the safety of our troops over seas is real, but the threat on our own soil is even more real. What about the islamic and muslim citizens of our own country, could this not incite them to riot.? I read another article where a comment was made about this small group of people not representing America as a whole and how this "pastor" and his followers were small in number and the author was concerned about America as a whole being judged by the action of this one group of people??? Really??? Sounds famililar doesn't it.? We went to war with three countries based on small radical groups from those countries. We have been in that war for over 8 years now. It has sky rocketed our national debt and cost the lives of our sons, daughters, fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters!!!! All because of one man and his small band of radicals. But yet does that one man and his small band represent those three countries as a whole???
I guess the adage, "there is power in numbers" is not necessarily true. In my opinion, as a christian also, I do believe the best thing to do is not give this lost radical and his little band of so-called believers not one more thought or bit of attention or news coverge. Dismiss him as the lost radical that he is. Evil begets Evil. Hate begets Hate. Nothing good can come out of it. If anything, can this man not be arrested for instigating a riot?? The law I do believe does not state where the riot has to be does it? here? there?
Furthermore, as a christian and an American citizen, I am praying for our country and I am proud of our leaders for speaking out against this hatred, but I warn everyone, please, please do not get wrapped up in the hatred yourself while speaking against it for then we become just as guilty.
Let me see how many Moslem countries do we have military bases in?
How many Moslem countries do we take natural resources from?
How many Moslem civilians have been killed, maimed turned into refugees by direct US military action or indirect support of other countries foreign policies?
Are there churches and synagogues in all Moslem countries? (Even in Saudi Arabia there are churches on the US Military base)
Did any Moslems die at ground zero? Are there Moslems serving in our military?
If you do not know the answers to the above you should do your homework before lashing out.
For those of you who want your interpretation of the Bible to be the law of the land then you have more in common with the radical Moslem
fringe who use the Koran to inflict intolerance and a similar hatred then you can imagine.
I would no more judge our military by the acts of a few at Abu Gharib nor by the acts of a few who used Afghan civilians as target practice and then took home their fingers as souvenirs then I would judge the acts of radical fringe Moslem groups.
I would still allow a Catholic Church next to a playground in spite of the
acts of small percentage of priest. I would not expect Soledad Obrien to have to show her papers near a border town after committing a misdemeanor because she looks Hispanic.
It might be your Irish great grandfather, your Catholic grandmother, your Jewish mother, your Japanese cousin, your black uncle, your Mormon friend, your Italian sister in law, your Greek best friend or your old white coz that lives in a trailer who are despised just because of who they are. Please don't tell me none of these groups have blood on their hands. Again do your homework and study history.
I defend your right to hide behind your white sheet and burn a cross on your property or march down a street with your swastika or burn the koran or bible. I don't like it, but you are guaranteed that right by the First Amendment.
And I defend the right of any religion to build a place of worship anywhere our Constitution allows.
The pastor is an idiot. Our Constitution protects the freedom of expression of idiots. That's the way it should be. Anyone who retaliates against Americans because our Constitution protects the freedom of expression of idiots is also an idiot. Anyone who joins this conversation (Including me) is, well, also an idiot. Needless to say, the Global Idiot Index is off the charts this week.
Oh the hypocrisy, Christianity requires the same superstitious and magical thinking! Oh and BTW if the pastor does go through with the book burning, the media should not bolster his ideas further by broadcasting images all over the world.
@art, you might not believe just how much I agree with you.
Muslim-Americans are serving in our Armed Forces. Muslims are & have been fighting alongside our troops & against terrorists. Muslims were among those killed on 9/11. Muslims have been living peacefully in this country for a very long time. Why do so many want to alienate these people. Why are so many determined to see a Holy War? The terrorists are killing more Muslims than Americans. To blame all Muslims for the actions of a few extremists is ridiculous.
To Average American: One of your comments hit the timeline right on the head. 70 years ago there were no incidents of Muslims declaring war on the Western world, or attacking them. The point you missed (and one that must be politically incorrect, since no one ever says it) is that the event which changed history was the British and the Americans placing the state of Israel right in the middle of all the Arab countries. That was the catalyst which has spawned the atrocities we all live in fear of today. You cannot pitch camp in the middle of a field of bees, and be surprised when you get stung. This hasn't worked from the beginning, and the more we support it, the worse off we will be.
Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf,
If the Islamic radicals really wanted to impress me with their radicalism, then they should perform a truly radical act and come out of the 4th century mindset, and treat women as equals.
Just sayin'
How many Quran burners will join the armed forces and go on roads filled with Improvvised Eplosive Devices( IED). How great it is to seat at home in America drinking beers and tell the world about our intolenrance! Put on the military uniform, well.... that is different.
Quit bringing on these 9-11 people with their PURELY EMOTIONAL ARGUMENTS.
This man should be arrested for treason. He is willfully carrying out an act that will directly endanger members of our military as well as "aiding and abetting" the "enemy," which is Islamic terrorism. He is making further attacks by Islamic terrorists much more likely all over the world, and Muslims as well as Christians and people of other faiths will die. I repeat, he is a traitor to America and acting directly against American goals of establishing peace in the Middle East. Arrest him, and any of his followers who attempt to carry out burning of the Koran, for treason.
What do you think about the latest threat from the NY imam?
The great explanation I have seen was a poster on the back of a Texas truck that said "All I needed to know about Islam, I learned on 9/11.
If you are honest with yourself and do your due diligence about Islam by reading the propaganda books and evaluating what Islam is really doing to England, France and now Russia, you should REACH THE CLEAR CONCLUSION that Americans can no longer be politically correct. We must face the issues and the threats head on before they start happenning here.
It's time to stand up and be counted not run to the closet and hide and hope everything works out well!!
What about the fact that Christianity and Islam being scarily similar. Abraham, Moses, and Jesus were all considered prophets to Muslims. Muslims continued on with the teachings of Muhammed and Christians went with the teachings of Jesus.
Compare the two religions and you'll see they share A LOT more than you think. Obviously Islam has a much more violent and deceptive approach to other religions though.
I'm just wondering where the Republican leadership stands on the Quaran burning stunt. They have been conspicuous in their absence during this debate. I don't want to assume they are leaving this alone for political capital, but it seems to me that all Americans should be united against such a dangerous act, particularly our leadership.
I have the right under the first amendment to burn the flag, to burn the Koran, and to give a cop the finger.
If I burn the flag, I'll probably get some people upset, but not much of a chance at being harmed.
If I burned the Koran, I might reasonably expect someone to retaliate, either against me or other Americans, so I don't think I would exercise my Constitutional right to do that.
If I give a cop the finger, I will probably end up in jail, or maybe dead. I definitely wouldn't do that.
There's a difference between what you have a right to do, and what a sane person would do.
Nick Dietz
@steve jordon...why do you say "christains"? You have no idea what you are talking about...I am Christain and I believe the Quran book burning is a retarded thing to do..and if I ever got Quran Bible in my hand I would read it...and what is this we crap? "You" stand alone on a lost cause..and you mean "rid" not "ride"...I did not play when I said I will burn 3 times as many Holy Bible if Pastor Terry Jones burns the Quran Bible!
Since when the islam(muslim) knows how to spread PEACE?????as we know they are the reason why so many people are affected,they are killing innocent people in the name of there RELIGION> people of america should aware of it...they are the LIVING DEVIL americans...muslim is just using the word ISLAM to attack america..MUSLIM IS BARBARIC AND ANIMALISTIC HUMAN EVER CREATED,THEY LOVE TO KILL, AS THEY SAID WRITTEN IN KORAN..THEY SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO ENTER IN AMERICA IN THE FIRST PLACE,.,.,THEY SHOULD STAY IN ARABS COUNTRY AND KILL YOUR OWN IMAGES .
If the pastor goes ahead w/ the Quran burning, which I seriously doubt he will, it will just lead to other acts. Construction vehicles used to build a Muslim Center in TN were torched. Why? It's nowhere near the "hallowed ground." Other acts of vandalism have occured also & an idiot in FL tried to pipe bomb a mosque w/ people in it. Where does it end?
Okay, just reread the posts on the blog this morning. Know what I think? I think religion is the problem. It has become a hindrance in the world. The people of the earth need to transcend religious beliefs, and get to "knowing."
Beliefs are handed to you. Knowings come from within...
If Pastor Jones is a true Christian, he will remember
Luke 23:34 and apply it's teaching to everything and hard
as it is for everyone, 9/11 included.
First I would like it noted that I do not agree with the burning of any "Holy" book, that being said I have but one question. If we the great people of the United States of America are supposed to understand that not all Muslims are radicals who wish Americans harm then why cannot the Muslim community understand that we as Americans have the occassional wacky person who will do anything to gain attention including doing the unthinkable of burning a Holy book.
Burn The Qur'an? Should we feel compelled to pull back and give way to reason when it comes to burning Qur'ans, because the outcry is from those who read a holy book (as they call it) that call for the destruction of ALL people who are NOT followers of Qur'an!
But than it's depicted (in the news) as perfectly OK when people who don't like America Burn our flag and no one does anything or says anything in retaliation to these hostil eacts! We never threaten retaliatory action.
When is it right to express our views without fear of consequences
or relaliation from our enemy AND own government because burning the Qur'an might offend some, DOES ANYONE THINK BURNING THE AMERICAN FLAG IS OFFENSIVE!!!
In regards to the pastor who wants to burn the Qurans cant he be arrested for instigating violence if violence occures after his action even murder if that occures. Can't an injunction be had to prevent his action if it is thought to produce violence.This seems like a job for home land security. Is our homeland security so weak that they can't come up with a solution. The old country way is somebody sacrifice and go done there and whip his but.
No one should burn the Koran, just cleanse it of verses like Koran 9:5 that say to kill non-Muslims who join other gods with God by seizing and besieging them, and laying wait in ambush, unless they convert to Islam, observe prayer, and pay obligatory alms to Muslim authorities. That's what angers me personally.
Remove Sura 9 which is said to be the final sura that "came down" from Allah via Gabriel to Muhammad before Muhammad's illness and death. Verse 5 of Sura 9 reads: "And when the sacred months are passed, kill those who join other gods with God wherever ye shall find them; and seize them, besiege them, and lay wait for them with every kind of ambush: but if they shall convert, and observe prayer, and pay obligatory alms, then let them go their way, for God is Gracious, Merciful."
american free speech law already recognizes "hate speech" as a catefory of speech that can be limited by law and is an exisiting exception to constitutional free speech rights.
burning these korans is a "speech act" like flag burning. but where us law accepts flag burning as free speech, not hate speech, this intended act of korna burning can be legally prevented by the florida or federal justice department getting an injunction to stop this intended hate speech act and/or by passing a gainseville city council ordinance to stop this intended hate speech act.
Build the cultural center where it was planned to be built at. Do not allow the "Christian" and "Jewish" radicals win. Do not allow the Islamphobes to destroy the ideals of America.
Arrest and charge the moron that wants to burn the Quran with anti-American behavior, attempted terrorism, undermining the sacrifice the sons and daughters of the US has made in Iraq and Afghanistan, threatening and endangering the lives of those same sons and daughters who are currently putting their lives on line daily around the world.
Protect the US Constitution at all costs. Show the world the US is a righteous country that will protect and defend all citizen's right to freedom and tolerance of religion.
I am one of the Americans who recoil at the Mosque being built near Ground Zero. I personally recoil at probably the most intolerant religion in the world using our Consitution's provisions to further their religion. They don't give a hoot about our Constitution! They are only interested in furthering Sharia Law around the world which would immediately get rid of the Constitution. Has anyone seen anything akin to freedom of religion, freedom of speech etc. in a predominantly Muslim country? Is the answer for you that if we allow all the Muslims come here and have freedom of religion that they will accept our principals of equality and freedom? I think we all know who will be changed – US.
Ralph Beach- by saying that you now have no business looking down at that idiot pastor. Now you are just like him, might as well look in a mirror.
I have studied Islam and its culture. It is IMPOSSIBLE to know when a Muslim is telling the truth about anything that furthers Islam. They have an OBLIGATION to lie to further the cause of Islam. It is called TAQIYYA. They are very serious about telling non Muslims what they want to hear to get further in their goal of world domination. They also have a rule that once Musims are the majority in any country, that they MUST impose Sharia Law. Then those who are not Muslims must convert or die, or one way to stay alive is to live in DHIMITUDE.
That is WORSE than Apartide.
WE AMERICANS WON'T KNOW WHAT HIT US, ONCE EVERYTHING THROUGH EVOLUTION FALLS INTO PLACE.
Islam is the least tollerant and peaceful religion. It actually isn't a religion. It is a political system that rules over the people. (Iran, Indonesia) Religion is used as power over their people. Iran used to have a healthy Jewish and Christian population. What do you think happened to them. You are naive if you think "NOTHING"
Lebanon has been very hard hit by Islam. Ask Brigitte Gabriel, which you won't, because you wish to turn a blind eye and be politically correct. That is what will kill America as we know it. Because ignorance and blind eye is what they need to succeed.
The building of the Mosque in the shadow of ground "O" was aptly named "The Cordoba Project" That told us to our face what it was about. During the Crusades and Slaughter of All the Christians in Cordoba Spain, Mosques were built on top of churches to claim Victory over the Christians. A MOSQUE IN THE SHADOW OF GROUND "O" (500 FEET AWAY) IS THEIR VICTORY OVER AMERICA. IT IS VERY SYMBOLIC ALL OVER THE MUSLIM WORLD. THEY ARE LAUGHING AT US FOR ALLOWING IT TO HAPPEN.
We should be AMERICANS first. A Muslim is a Muslim first. Islam is first before country. Pres. Obama wrote in his own book that if their was a crisis with Islam and the United States, he "will always come down on the side of Islam." HE WROTE THAT IN HIS OWN WORDS. Islam comes first and no allegiance to any country. It is written. PLEASE DO YOUR RESEARCH. WHERE DID ALL THE INVESTIGATIVE REPORTERS GO?
The burning of the Quran or any other book should be done to show these people how far they are away from their God, truth is not in a book
but in the heart, and if somebody does get hurt as a result of the book burning it just show's how sick these people are. David, Pasadena CA
A way to diffuse the situation regarding burning the Holy QURAN by the pastor from hell is to ask real American from all faith to buy a copy of the Quran to show our religious tolerance.
YOU ARE NOT DEALING WITH ORDINARY RELIGIOUS DOCTRINE. ISLAM IS A POLITICAL SYSTEM AND RULES THROUGH THE THREAT OF ALLAH..
This is a note for Pastor Terry Jones.... For as many Quran you burn I will burn 3 times as many Holy bibles. As you said, it is just a book right? Got a problem with that Mr. Terry Jones?
Why are Muslims given a free hand to burn our flag or burn churches or burn bibles and there is no outrage, or attack on them.
They call themselves a religion of peace and tollerance. That is what they call it when all the world has become Muslim and is under Sharia Law. According to the Koran, that creates the Peace and Tollerance. (the world being Muslim)
This preacher is only doing this for attention. Does he actually believe people are just going to sit by and let him carry this out? I don't believe the government should get involved, but that doesn't mean citizens can't.
The Mosque controversy is rediculous. Radicals are exactly that, not the majority. To tell an entire religion they can't build something somewhere simply because of what some radicals did is just absurd.
I am convinced Americans secretly want to be communists. We want all these freedoms but we want them all regulated.
It is legal in the United States to burn the American Flag..It is legal in the United States to burn the Bible..where is the outrage in that? Why is tolerance only working one way? Where is the Muslim tolerance? If they understand building the mosque is so controversial, in the name of peace and understanding, build it somewhere else.
Americans need to stand up for Americans again. Put America first and we will shine once more.
The scheduled Quran burning will not affect the extremists very much. It will give them more propaganda for recruiting young Muslims who didn't share their views before. The extremists, or terrorists, claim they are defending Islam. However, they blow up mosques & kill Muslims throughout the world. The world needs to quit blaming all Muslims for the actions of a small percentage of radicals who are using religion to try to justify their actions. It's not the 1st time radicals have used religion to promote hate. The pastor is using Christianity for the same reason!
CNN Anchors continue to tout that 71% of those polled are against the community center being built near Ground Zero. My question is, "Do those that voted against the center have a clear understanding of the intent for the building's purpose and where it will be located?"
I also am fed up with hearing that this is "sacred" land as though Americans corner the market on grief. The attack was on the World Trade Center – a building that represented international commerce. Americans were shattered, but so were people around the globe. Manhattan was built on mass graves of slaves – with ties to Muslim countries. No one considered the land sacred then.
If the "views of the majority" in other times called ths shots, women, black people, Irish people, etc wouldnt even have a vote, go into a restaurant, or get a respectable job. I hate these "views of the majority" arguments because they warp what democracy even means.
If he, is going to burn the Koran, he can't be stopped, BUT, and this is a big BUT, the media chose not to report on this, how big would his impact be????
Koran burning.The fire department did not issue a burn permit! As soon as someone lights a match the fire department should hose them down!!!!
Our freedom of speech is being held captive by Islam is America going to stand for this .
With the Florida Pastor intending to burn the Koran on 911 – Why can’t he be prevented or arrested for same for intending to incite a hate crime ? There must be a municipal /federal or State Statute making this a violation , especially given the security interest of our nation ?
Can’t President Obama or Hillary Clinton do something about this ?
This is outrageous and embarrassing
This is not what our country stands for
This is Anti-American radical behavior and it’s getting to much press about what he stands for instead of going to the government officials and forcing their hands to impose the American protections and liberties of this great nation. If Clinton and other military officials say that this is jeopardizing our security – how can this one radical not be stopped ?
He says he is only burning a book – but these extreme act goods well beyond burning a book.
If this man was publically announcing that he was going to set off a bomb he would be stopped.
This hate act is worse – it can be easily bringing on more terrorist attacks to us and putting our soldiers in harm’s way. If you are balancing the interest of the public and security how can one radical’s 1st amendment right outweigh the national security risks of the harm of retaliation?
WHY AREN’T PUBLIC OFFICIALS – BEING PAID BY TAX DOLLARS DOING ANYTHING TO PREVENT this hateful act ?????
On the matter of the Mosque / Cultural center near Ground Zero, it may be appropriate for the Imam to find an alternate place. It will show that he respects the views of the majority. After all we are a democracy.
Please stop giving this nut job an audience. If no one pays attention to him, if no news outlet is there on Saturday to record him burning Korans, there will not be an increased threat to our troops. Please let the story go.
You Hippocrites. On one hand, the Christians want to destory a few hundred copies of a book that is adverse to their religion and you are saying as a "matter of national security" he should stop. Yet, over 66% of american does not want the Mosque in New York built and "as a matter of national security" we should go against this poll and build it.
We are a country of religious freedom...and if the Muslim are upset about our buring of their God's book, tough poop!!!! If you read the Koran, you will realize the basic foundation of the Muslim faith is to ride the world of the "infidels"....that is ANYONE who does not believe their faith. At least Christ, said to love your enemies!!!!
When I turn on CNN all I hear- every day- is either about this Mosque "at" ground zero or this stupid pastor. DONT YOU GET IT? By making this stuff the main news people hear about every morning afternoon and night, YOU are the ones who have made these into the gigantic issues they are. Ho There are people dying every day of diseases humanity already knows how to cure, theres slavery still going on in our modern world, people forced into prostitution right here in America, why arent THESE THINGS news every day? What is the frickin excuse for that?
Burning the Qoran doesn't achieve anything. Why would anyone waste his time doing it, probably the pastor is looking for publicity.
A learned person wouldn't do it.
Not sure I'm buying into last night's discussion about the mosque location this morning. There were less than ten mosques in New York City in 1970. Today there are over 100. With that in mind, what would be the basis for Islamic radicals to proclaim that Islam is under attack if the mosque isn't built near 'ground zero'? It's a faux argument. In fact, how radical would it be for Islamic radicals to have this particular mosque built, in a city that already has over 100 mosques, and then proclaiming that the criteria for being a radical has now been met in the first place? It has already been accomplished in New York, over 100 times. If one is a radical, where's the satisfaction in that?
No, not buying it. A true radical would build the mosque in, oh, let's say, Crawford, Texas. Or in a seaside resort area, near a vacation compound in, Kennebunkport, Maine. Now, wouldn't that more likely meet the criteria for being of a radical mindset?
It certainly fits the criteria for- "Justice for All."
Bill of rights
amendment 1
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
If this pastor in florida continues he is comiting a federal crime by assembling in an act that ecourages violence - he needs to be arrested
Americans opposed to the cultural center being built and those that support the burning of the Quran are only showing the world what an ignorant, hypocritical country the US actually is and shows why most of the world hates Americans.
Maybe a way to make a point regarding the proposed burning of the Koran is to ask other religions – including the Catholic Church and others – to simultaneously burn their own sacred texts such as the bible. A united front of the worlds religions showing that a book is a book and religious faith is in the heart of the believer may take the impact away from the event, in fact may even refocus the dialogue. For the religions of the world to acknowledge that they all strive for the betterment of humanity, and their books are guidelines – but their true 'sacredness' comes from the content of their hearts not the content of their pages.
Just a thought...
This stupid pastor now has unfathomable global power. Why? Because news sites like CNN have given it to him. If not for the CONTINUOUS COVERAGE of this idiot, the entire world would not know what he and his 30-person congregation plan to do.
The world has changed. Now all any fool has to do to incite worldwide hysterial is propose any kind of idiocy, and the "news" will then do the work that a 30 person congregation could never do.
This is the start of Muslim oppression we need to stop it before it goes any further .
Who are the radicals on both sides? Imam was not specific.
This administration has led this country into a Muslim trap by there incompetence now if we do not use tax payers money to build this Mosque it will not be built and we will be attacked we were warned that Obama was week with national security and they were right .
"When books are burned in the end people will be burned too."
- Heinrich Heine
The cultural center planned for NYC is NOT a mosque! A mosque can only be used for prayer. The center will have areas for prayer but will also have areas for education & recreation. The Pentagon has a Muslim prayer room but no one mistakes it for a mosque.
Aki... that's been the problem with the US Foreign policy for the last 70 or 80 years – the US didn't care what Muslims thought and the US imposed it's own will on them with no consideration given to the people affected by those decisions which has led to today's problems between the US and Muslim countries. "Radical" and "extremist" Muslims weren't born out of thin air – they were created as a result of US foreign policy and Americans attitude concerning those that aren't "Christian". Americans that refuse to face the reality of the cause of the problem are only continuing to fan the flames of the hatred the US has shown most of the world for decades and until America faces up to this the problem will only continue to grown.
I just noticed that there are three types of Islamophobia from yesterdays interview on CNN with Ground-zero Imam. They are, Hate for Islam, fear of Islam (fear of terror attack) and Media Islamophobia.
The Extremist are getting what they want...FEAR!!! Keep up the good work America..
Help me understand something, why are the Islam so upset about the burning of the Quran in Florida. They burn our Flag and hate United State. (Western World) Why doesn’t the Islam put all of their anger towards the terraces who claim that they are following the Quran? We are losing too many solders because Islam terraces believe that the Quran is the only way and that the western ways is all wrong.” Clean your own back yard before you ask us to respect your ways in our country”.
Good Morning,
I have a suggestion of how to create a WIN WIN scenario for the Mosk and the Kuran burning...
How about CNN putting the Iman and the Florida Kuran burning Pastor together – If one will move the mosque, the other will cancel the Kuran burning / vica versa... The Iman saves face by stopping the Kuran burning (which frankly does have National Security implications), and the Florida Pastor can save face by having influence to move the mosque. Maybe the sugggestion will encourage both to see BIGGER PICTURE and provide a path to do something bigger for multiple fronts/nations. In doing so, the Iman a man focused on peace, the Paster a man of peace – can show nations (and Frankly POLITCIANS) how two people with common interests but different beliefs can work together to create good.
Thank You for the format and being able to offer an opinion.
Kevin
I was under the impression our country was founded by and for people escaping from religious prosecution. Are we trying to destroy the very foundation of our country by first excusing one man's persecution of another religion as his "right to exercise freedom of speech?" What level are we sinking to that this is even remotely okay to anyone?
With regards to the proposed Mosque near ground zero – would it be different if a Jewish community wanted to build a religious center? How about a Catholic community? Or Mormon? Or Baptist? This rediculous notion that ALL followers of Islam are inherently evil is just another excuse for genocide. I am a devout Christian, but I truly believe that Islam is a religion of peace and one crazy mass murderer leading a fringe group does not mean that ALL Muslims are bad or radical or want war.
Let me make it first clear that I am against burning the Quran, however I want to know where the president's of Pakistan and Indonesia were when American flags are burned. We should not stop this because something other country asks us to. We should stop this because if someone was going to burn bibles we would stop it.
I love how the pastor says that God told him to do this, you know he's crazy just due to that statement. Sounds like more the devil talking to him, for where in the bible does it preech anything, but the love of God, and how God forgives?? I think the pastor needs to think about maybe it may be the devil talking to him.
i notice muslims are quick to speak out against someone burning qurans,but they never speak out against human rights abuses in iran and in middle east against persians and muslims by the ayatollahs and ahmadinegad
It would be a good idea for the press to stop talking to "Pastor" Jones. Stop giving him air time. He's an idiot and does not represent the views of America and American's.
Why did Imam refer to 'we ' in terms of radicals? Is he a radical terrorist?
Terry Jones is simply demonstrating, that there is a reason, that there are as many Jihad terrorists as there are. Mr Jones, is one of those reasons.
i'm not 100% sure i'm right but did they not say it was a religious war
when they attacked the twin towers,
it was said on your show who has the right to say where they could
build there mosque.
and you say build it at ground zero????
right near the place they attacked for the "religious war".................
kind of ironic isn't it ???
i could be wronge but thats the way iI remembered it being. a religious move bye the taliban to make a point.
WHO HAS THE RIHGT ??????
WE DO !!!!!!!!!
It's our friends and family who died there, lived there, and lie there still
and they want a mosque there,,,,,,,,,,,,,, B.S.
MARK..........
Pastor Jones will NOT burn any Qurans this Saturday! Until that time, he will continue his hateful rhetoric for personal profit. I'm sure he has been receiving donations from bigots throughout the country. So he will continue to milk it for every penny until he cancels at the last moment. He can only profit so much from 50 parishioners. Last year, he tried to profit from selling hateful t-shirts.
This is the same guy who was kicked out of his own church in Germany. His own daughter & a church elder accused him of using the church's donations for his personal use. He's nothing but a con man trying to profit from fear & bigotry. The media shouldn't be giving him the time of day!!!
do you think the Imam answered the question whether Hamas is a terrorist organization? Keeping them honest!
@ Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf ...It is disrespectful for him to build a Islamic center and mosque a few blocks from New York's ground zero. That spot is an "American" landmark and should be treated as that! I feel he is doing it on purpose, as if he is slapping America in the face. I say build the islamic center and mosque somewhere else and stop irritating Americans.
@Quran Burning...I believe everyone has a right to their opinion but when you mess with another religion I draw the line. What does burning books solve? Doesn't it just make a bad situation worse? How would you feel if I burnt the Holy Bible? You may not be hurting or killing someone but it is just as bad. You are supposed to be a man of God, What is your problem?
I wonder why so many people come to America from all over the world? Why is that ? What is so bad about their home country ? Why does a native Iranian want to live in America ?
Good Morning CNN!
The Mosque should be built wherever the Iman wants it built. To force the Mosque to be built elsewhere is telling the world – you can have religious freedom in the US – as long as it is a religion that is the same as mine or that I approve of – which is contrary to everything that America stands for.
The anti Mosque "Americans" are extremist by the very definition of their actions. Maybe planes should be banned because planes were used to fly into WTC. Pilots should be made criminals because pilots fly planes. The airports were those planes flew from should be closed. The "Americans" opposed to the Mosque are anti-America in the fact that they want their First Amendment rights protected while they want to trample on the rights of Americans that don't toe the line of their religion. The anti Mosque "Americans" are all Terry Jones' and an embarrassment to America and only seek the destruction of American values throughout the world. Those people not only want to burn the Quran – they also want to burn the Constitution of the US.
This poor uneducated preacher, with a REALLY BIG MUSTACHE, evidently never read his bible or Koran. Both say to turn the other cheek, Islam is peace.
This preacher could be endangered mostly by some folks that wish to disrupt and stir up, and not necessarily Muslims, He is endangering not only his family, but also his parisheners.
There are things people do and things to get their point across, and things YOU DO NOT EVEN THINK OF.
I see this as an extortion attempt on the Constitution. The Imam has every intention of inflaming the emotions of 9/11 victims with the threat of retribution from the Muslim world if we deny his mosque. Its psychological terrorism. He has no intention of creating peace, only terror and chaos in a highly volatile election term.
There is a little thing in this country called the US Constitution; this one document makes us stand out as a nation. This one document protects every "Citizens" right to freedom of religion. Politicians and the people of this country forget about the thousands of men and women who have lost their lives fighting to uphold this document. I am in the military and our role is to protect, defend, and uphold the US Constitution. The minute we become intolerant of religious beliefs, or any other aspect of the Constitution we have lost the war on terror. This is exactly what the extremists would want and they win, thus members of our military died in vein.
National Security? Since when did we care about what the Muslim radicals and extremists think? They already hate us. Do you think that anything we do or don't do will make them want to kill us any less?