US Embassy In Pakistan Condemns Florida Pastor's Burning of Qur'an

The U.S. Embassy in Pakistan issued a statement (full text) yesterday saying that it: "condemns the burning of a copy of the Holy Koran in the State of Florida, United States. This is an isolated act done by a small group of people that is contrary to American traditions. It does not reflect the general sentiment of respect toward Islam by the people of the United States." The statement refers to action taken last Sunday by controversial pastor Terry Jones of the Dove World Outreach Center in Gainesville. (See prior posting.) According to WFTV News, Jones conducted a 6-hour mock trial of the Qur'an at his church before 30 people and a film crew. Finding the Qur'an guilty of promoting violence, he burned it. Despite the fact that Jones' activity received little publicity, Pakistan's president Asif Ali Zardari condemned it during a televised address to the federal parliament yesterday.The Pakistani foreign ministry also condemned the burning, saying it has deeply hurt the feelings of Muslims around the world.