Quran Fires Put Out: Plans to Burn Islamic Holy Book Canceled

A Florida pastor made international news last week when he threatened to burn copies of the Islamic holy book, the Quran.

The burning was supposed to represent a form of protest against the mosque being built near ground zero, but the plan backfired and protests quickly grew against the pastor and his abuse of the First Amendment.

Pastor Terry Jones, 58, immediately created controversy when he hung a “Burn A Quran Day” banner outside of his Gainesville church, the Dove World Outreach Center. Jones’ mission was to gain followers of his plan and spread his word that “Islam is of the devil.”

Today, approximately 23 percent of all people on Earth follow Islam.

There are approximately 0.7 to 1.8 billion Muslims worldwide, making Islam the second largest religion in the world following Christianity.

How can Terry Jones, a supposedly “holy man,” curse the faith of such a large number of God’s people, and how do students at UT respond to Terry Jones’ radical behavior?

Chris McCarthy, 21 year-old entrepreneurship major says, “I think everyone is obviously entitled to do what they want. However, with that said, burning a Quran would only further divide people. That would cause more harm than good. Many people from an outside perspective that look at [Jones] and what he’s trying to do view him in a negative manner. He’s bringing a lot of negative attention to himself.”

Elbin Keeppanasseril, 22 year-old pre-law international economics major has a personal take on the issue.

Elbin says, “I’m from New York City. I saw the effects of 9/11 and the smoke of the towers from my junior high school.

I think the mosque should be allowed to be built [near ground zero] because I feel that the government would be discriminating if they wouldn’t allow it.

In the same sense, I feel that if he wants to burn the Quran, he has a right to do so. However, it would be of bad taste.

There is no logical reasoning behind burning a Quran in relation to preventing the mosque from being built near ground zero.”

So what was Jones thinking when he said he wanted to burn the Quran?

Some say not much at all. Reports claim that Jones hasn’t even opened a Quran but is sure that burning it would be God’s will. Jones told ABC’s Nightline that, “Jesus would not run around burning books, but I think he would burn this one.”

Ricki Goldsmith, 21 year-old international business and marketing major said, “Burning the Quran isn’t a way of dealing with [the mosque location].

Personally I disagree with the mosque being built in such a sensitive area because of what occurred there on 9/11, but, respectfully, I do think there would be better ways of settling the controversy.”

After catching word of Pastor Terry Jones’ plan to burn Qurans, President Obama held a press conference discussing the severity of the consequences that the action could spark.

In return Jones promptly decided to cancel the Quran burnings with the reasoning that, “We feel like God is telling us to stop.”

“I’m glad that the president prevented it from being done, because it would affect the troops abroad,” Elbin said. “As Americans our views are open and we’re more accepting to everything around us. Whereas other countries’ governments are based upon their religion. So if an American were to publicly burn a Quran that would bring great animosity from Muslims.”

With the war in Iraq coming to a close, the remaining U.S. troops rely on support from their fellow Americans to help them come home safely.

Although Pastor Terry Jones originally overlooked that responsibility, he assures America that “We will not burn the Quran. Not today, not ever.”

Joshua Napier can be reached at joshua.napier90@gmail.com.