It's repulsive.
"It is possibly time for us in a new way to actually stand up, confront terrorism," Mr Jones told reporters.
This is hypocrisy; how is the burning of the Koran, a sacred text for Muslims, not an act of religious terrorism?
Granted, it is not perhaps on the 9/11 scale but it's still an
offensive act which will
encourage terrorism not prevent it. Obama described the plans of Mr Jones as a "recruitment bonanza" for Al-Qaeda.
Obama also pointed out that if the burning did go ahead in Gainesville, Florida it would endanger US troops in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Whilst, William Hague, British foreign secretary, when asked how the burnings would affect British troops in Afghanistan replied "It certainly won't help."
It has also been suggested that it will not only be our troops who will be put at risk by the pastor's actions; Interpol has issued a global alert claiming the burning could instigate "violent attacks on innocent people". As a result of this warning, the US government has warned American tourists abroad to be careful and avoid areas where protests may take place.
Terry Jones, pastor of a small church in the sleepy town of Gainesville leads a congregation of around 50 people. He planned to hold a mass burning of Korans to commemorate 9/11.
What was planned to be a small, local ceremony has now become a major issue on the world stage, as a result of media and political intervention.
The US government finds itself in a tricky situation; officials cannot prevent Mr Jones as intervention would be against the US constitution's promise of freedom of speech. Yet, if the burning should go ahead, not only is it damaging to America's reputation but also poses huge security risks.
Comments made against the Koran burnings:
Downing Street; "Primarily this is an issue for the US, but clearly the government's view is that we would not condone the burning of any book. We would strongly oppose any attempt to offend any member of any religious or ethnic group. We are committed to religious tolerance."
OIC Secretary General (Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu); "The culture of peaceful co-existence and inter communal and inter-religious tolerance that the international community is trying to achieve is under threat from marginal and extremist fanatics."
William Hague; The burning of the Koran would be offensive not just to Muslims but to all supporters of religious freedom and tolerance worldwide. Eid is a time of celebration, charitable giving and family gathering. To seek to mar it in this calculated way would be selfish and provocative in the extreme."
Tony Blair; "I deplore the act of burning the Koran. It is disrespectful, wrong and will be widely condemned by people of all faiths and none. In no way does this represent the view of any sensible person in the West or any other part of the world. You do not have to be a Muslim to share a sense of deep concern at such a disrespectful way to treat the Holy Book of Islam. Rather than burn the Koran, I would encourage people to read it."
There has not been news yet as to whether Mr Jones plans to continue the Koran burnings; despite worldwide pressure for him to cancel his plans. Meanwhile the rest of us struggle to comprehend, as shown above, why we are having to persuade such a man, not to commit a KKK reminiscent offence in the supposedly tolerant society of today.
