DO NOT BURN THE QURAN

With the anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack on the United States closely approaching, The Shadow was planning to let the 9th Anniversary pass without much comment and comment fully on the 10th Anniversary on September 11, 2011.  Unfortunately, events in the United States have come to The Shadow's attention in the past few days that have forced him to place this entry.

The Shadow has learned within the past few days of a protest to take place within a church in Gainesville, Florida that threatens to disrupt peace throughout the world.  So we must give our comments on it.

The Shadow has learned that a church in Gainesville, Florida -- Dove World Outreach Center -- and its pastor, The Reverend Terry Jones, is planning to burn two copies of the Quran on the 9th Anniversary of the terrorist attack on the United States -- September 11, 2010.

The Shadow is appealing and demanding to Rev. Jones and the church -- DO NOT TAKE THIS ACTION.

The Shadow can see no reason whatsoever for this action.  And we ask Rev. Jones and the congregation of Dove Center -- what will this action accomplish?

Already, there has been world condemnation from the Islamic world.  There has been condemnation from the Christian world. The Vatican's Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue released a statement criticizing Pastor Terry Jones of Florida's Dove World Outreach Center, who is behind the Koran burning plan:

These deplorable acts of violence, in fact, cannot be counteracted by an outrageous and grave gesture against a book considered sacred by a religious community. Each religion, with its respective sacred books, places of worship and symbols, has the right to respect and protection.  Each religious leader and believer is also called to renew the firm condemnation of all forms of violence, in particular those committed in the name of religion.

There have also been statements issued from U.S. officials.  Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has stated the following:

[I]t’s regrettable that a pastor in Gainesville, Florida with a church of no more than 50 people can make this outrageous and distressful, disgraceful plan and get the world’s attention, but that’s the world we live in right now. I mean, it doesn’t, in any way, represent America or Americans or American Government or American religious or political leadership. And we are, as you’ve seen in the last few days, speaking out. General Petraeus made the very powerful point that as seemingly small a group of people doing this, the fact is that it will have potentially great harm for our troops. So we are hoping that the pastor decides not to do this. We’re hoping against hope that if he does, it won’t be covered as an act of patriotism. But I think that it’s unfortunate. I mean, it’s not who we are, and we just have to constantly be demonstrating by our words and actions. And as I remind my friends around the world, in the environment in which we all now operate, anybody with an iPhone, anybody with a blog, can put something out there which is outrageous.

Now, here is what The Shadow has to say to this church.

Yes you are protected by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution to do this act.  But because you have this protection, does not make this a righteous or proper action.  This is not the way to honor the victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks.

Do not burn the Koran.  To do so will not sit well around the world in terms of America's reputation.  this will be just the excuse that Islamic extremists need to attack the United States.  Do you really want that on your conscious?

Yes The Shadow agrees that there are extremist Muslim out there who are hell-bent on destroying the United States of America.  As all of us know -- they will not succeed.

On the other hand, we cannot assume that everyone who is a Muslim is an extremist who is hell bent on destroying this country.  Many people will be upset because of the celebrations of followers of Islam this weekend of the end of the holy month of Ramadan.  The Shadow's view on this -- let them celebrate as this is the end of a month of fasting for them.  The fact that the end of this period falls on the anniversary of the terrorist attacks is an unfortunate coincidence.  Their celebration of the end of Ramadan does not signal disrespect for what happened nine years ago.  Indeed, many Muslims have gone out of their way to recognize the many men and women who died nine years ago.

The Shadow asks all to let followers of Islam celebrate the end of Ramadan in peace.

As for Rev. Terry Jones and the members of Dove World Outreach Center -- The Shadow is now on record as condemning your actions.  The Shadow asks Rev. Jones and his congregation to reconsider their decision to burn the Koran on September 11, 2011.  This is not the American way and it does not sit well around the world.  You are praying for action on this.

Let us help you out.  Remember the words of Jesus in the Gospel of John 13:34 -- "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another, as I have loved you, that ye also love one another."

Keep this in mind as you try to burn the holy book of another.

Good night and good luck.