By Vanessa Macdonald - editorial@di-ve.com [www.di-ve.com]
The local branch of an Islamic society, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat, has strongly condemned plans to burn copies of the Koran on the anniversary of September 11.
On the 9th anniversary of the attacks, the Dove World Outreach Center, a Chris¬tian church in America, is planning to hold a “Burn a Koran Day,” citing Islam as an evil religion and claiming that “Islam is of the devil.”
The centre is defending its plans with a Biblical reference from The Acts of the Apostles, the only reference in the New Testament to “book burning”.
“For verse 19:19 to be used in support of Christians gathering together to burn the scriptures of other faiths publicly is not logical and is unsupported by any other Christian teaching. The scrolls that are burnt in this verse are burnt by their owners them¬selves, the implication being that they are aware that what is contained within is not truthful and they fear being dis¬graced as those who had been using Jesus’ name to drive out demons were disgraced. They openly confess their actions and then burn the scrolls to show they are putting an end to such practices in the future.
“This is a completely different scenario from the one being presented by the Dove Center to justify burning the Qur’an,” the society said.
“In light of these clear teachings, we urge the Dove World Outreach Center to reflect upon the peaceful message of Jesus (peace be upon him) which is clearly a message of peace, not hatred,” it said.
Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat said the burnings would be a most provocative act which would achieve nothing but to cause distress and anger for millions of peace loving persons worldwide.
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community said it had always expressed deep concern that some so-called Muslims tarnished Islam’s name with their cruel and hate-filled acts.
“Those who perpetrate such acts fail to realise the true teachings of Islam,” it said, stressing that Islam categorically rejects and condemns every form of terrorism.
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