Christian, Muslim Leaders Condemn ‘Burn Koran’ Drive

MUMBAI, Sept. 03, 2010, 10:00 Hrs (Ashley D’Mello / TNN):

In a strong show of solidarity, leaders of the Christian and Muslim communities have condemned the irresponsible statements made by Pastor Terry Jones in the US, who has threatened to organise a “Burn a Koran Campaign,’ on the anniversary of 9/11.

The meeting at the house of the Catholic Archbishop of Mumbai, Cardinal Oswald Gracias, in Colaba saw speakers dwell on the need for curtailing irresponsible statements which provoke hatred and a request to the media not to highlight the outpourings of fanatic fringe groups.

Cardinal Gracias said, “On behalf of all Christian leaders of Mumbai and the community here, we disassociate ourselves from the programme and condemn it as contrary to the teachings of Jesus Christ.’’ He added “As president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of India, I condemn, on behalf of the whole Catholic Church, this totally insensitive and disrespectful threat to the Holy Koran.’’

Pointing out that Pastor Terry Jones’ community—called the Dove World Outreach Centre of Gainesville—did not number more than 200 persons, Gracias said even then, he was given prominence in the international media.

The cardinal’s concern was echoed by Maulana Mustaqeem Azmi, Maulana Zaheer Abbas Rizvi and Maulana Syed Athar Ali, who called for all minorities to come together and live in peace and harmony and ignore the irresponsible statements emanating from the US.

Condemning Pastor Terry Jones were Bishop Prakash Patole, Church of North India (Protestant), Bishop of Kalyan, Thomas Elavanal, Bishop Agnelo Gracias, vice-chairman of the National Commission for Minorities, H T Sangliana and former Indian Merchants Chamber president, Gul Kripalani. Adding their voice to the issue were chairman and vicechairman of the state minorities’ commission, Naseem Siddiqui and Abraham Mathai.

Former city police commissioner, J F Rebeiro, stressed the need for ignoring the statements of people from fringe groups who wanted to be in the limelight while Gul Kripalani said there should be an all- community prayer meeting on September 11 to promote peace and harmony.

Sangliana, a former IPS officer, showed copies of a letter written to him by the US Embassy in Delhi, which was critical of the stand taken by Pastor Terry Jones even as Abraham Mathai gave a call asking the US authorities to crack down on such provocative statements.