Waiting for the ninth anniversary commemorations of the events of September 11 troubled waters will shake the relation between Islam and the rest of the world.
To the growing opposition in America against the construction of an Islamic center with an adjoining mosque near Ground Zero is added, among others, the initiative by Terry Jones, a pastor of an independent church in Gainesville, Fla, who announced just for that day the "International Burn a Qur'an Day" by inviting the faithful to burn copies of the Muslims’ holy book in his church because, as the same Jones explained to CNN: "We believe that Islam is of the devil, that it's causing billions of people to go to hell, it is a deceptive religion, it is a violent religion and that is proven many, many times,"
To spread the initiative Terry Jones's followers have even created a dedicated channel on YouTube, promptly identified by the community as "potentially offensive and inappropriate" and a page on Facebook that on September 6 7910 persons “liked” against the 8764 who, instead, “liked" the most popular page of the social network among those who opposed the initiative.
To spread the initiative Terry Jones's followers have even created a dedicated channel on YouTube, promptly identified by the community as "potentially offensive and inappropriate" and a page on Facebook that on September 6 7910 persons “liked” against the 8764 who, instead, “liked" the most popular page of the social network among those who opposed the initiative.
Opposition to the project promoted by Terry Jones among Muslims was of course immediate and predictable. At all levels. From those, the moderates, who are appealing to the "untouchability" of the sacred texts of any religion, to the most extremist who would never allow to any "infidel" to touch a copy of the Qur'an, let alone burn it.
Between the two positions there is an abyss. A sea of contrasts and different behaviors that beyond the good will and warm words of many are increasingly difficult to reconcile.
And this despite the first adverse reaction of the Christian world.
Such as the one by NAE, the National Association of Evangelicals, whose President, Leith Anderson, justified the request of cancellation of the event quoting a passage of the Bible (1 Thessalonians 5:15) ‘make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else’ pointing out the possibility that it may cause tensions between the two religions "in the United States and around the world."
Or that by Msgr. Oswald Gracias, Archbishop of Mumbai who, as president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of India, condemned the "totally insensitive and disrespectful act towards the Holy Koran” appealing to Christ's teachings that “respected all religions and all men and women who sincerely seek God and His Will in their lives.”
This iniziative, should really be put into practice, could however have unpredictable consequences. As already happened in the days of Muhammad cartoons it could trigger street protests as the ones already saw in Jakarta and in Kabul, burning flags, embassies besieged.
This iniziative, should really be put into practice, could however have unpredictable consequences. As already happened in the days of Muhammad cartoons it could trigger street protests as the ones already saw in Jakarta and in Kabul, burning flags, embassies besieged.
But it is also probable that these protests in the West, then as now, will run out spontaneously. But what might happen in those parts of the world where Christians are a minority and where they are have been the target of violence by the faithful of other religions, whether Muslim or Hindu?
What could happen, for example, in Iraq, where the church hierarchy have almost always managed to avoid talking about "persecution" directed towards their community for fear of drawing on them more violence?
To comment the initiative from Baghdad is Msgr. Shleimun Warduni who described it to Baghdadhope as "very negative because it can provoke negative reactions against Christians in different parts of the world. I strongly condemn this initiative. We Christians believe in a world of love because God is love, and I hope that this initiative will be unanimously condemned."
"Burning the Holy Quran can only lead to misunderstandings and divisions among religions and peoples" continues the bishop, "whereas Man's job is to unite and not separate, to draw peoples together not to split them up. We will never be tired of preaching peace and love for God and all mankind."
Does the Council of Heads of Christian Churches in Iraq will make a statement about the initiative?
"The General Secretary of the Council, Archbishop Avak Asadorian, is not currently in Iraq but his intention with regard to this issue is clear and tomorrow we will talk with Patriarch Mar Delly to try to draft a document. We must stop this initiative because it does not help the interreligious and humanitarian dialogue we are working for."
What is the situation in Baghdad? Has the iniziative been commented upon?
"Yes. They talked about it on TV but the situation is calm by now and enhancements of security measures are not expected on September 11."
Did you have the opportunity to talk to some of the Muslim leaders you usually meet?
"Yesterday evening with Abdullah Alnaufali (the head of the governmental office for non-Muslims) I met for the Iftar (the meal that breaks the fast during Ramadan) some Sunni and Shiite leaders. The meeting was brotherly and joyful but to tell the truth the argument was not touched. What we fear is that the initiative can be seen negatively by some fanatics and that Christians will pay for it."