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Fred Nile condemns Quran burning


Christian Democratic Party
Thursday, 9 September 2010, 16:09 (EST)
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The Rev Hon Fred Nile MLC, Leader of the Christian Democratic Party, has condemned the proposed burning of the Quran in the US. Rev Nile made the statement in the NSW Parliament.

"I have just received a report of a very disturbing event described as 'International Burn a Quran Day', a provocative activity designed to arouse the Muslim world, organised by the Dove Christian World Outreach Centre, Florida, to which I express my total opposition and condemnation", said Rev Fred Nile.

"The centre's publicity statements have reached various Muslim centres around the world. The organisers may believe it to be a publicity stunt but it is a most dangerous and provocative act. The centre has declared it will burn the Muslim Holy Book the Quran on 11 September 2010 on Burn a Quran Day. In response, Muslim groups throughout the world have warned that this event will result in extreme reactions. Would-be martyrs have already declared their readiness to die in bombing the Dove Church. Radical groups such as Hizbut Tahrir and the Muslim Brotherhood have warned about uncontrollably violent reactions. For example, a statement posted by the Muslim Brotherhood states:

Dr. Diaa Rashwan, Islamic movements' expert at Egypt's Al-Ahram Centre for Political and Strategic Studies, described the intended burnings of the Quran [as] unreasonable and exceedingly dangerous going beyond all reason and sensibility. He maintained that a serious crisis will arise and extremism will be initiated in the Muslim world stressing that it is imperative that the US administration and United Nations interfere before a vicious circle of violence and extremism is initiated. He added that the burning of the Quran was not freedom of expression but a clear violation of the rights of nearly one and a half billion Muslims worldwide."

"In his interview with Terry Jones, Rick Sanchez of CNN asked why he would burn the sacred book of Muslims and how he would feel if Muslims burnt a Bible. Jones said that he would not like it, but that would be their right. He is obviously a strange and unbalanced person. Another interviewer suggested to Jones that he would have the blood of American soldiers on his hands, but that did not trouble him. Reverend Dr Mark Durie, who sent me this information, has indicated his deep concern about this proposed activity."

"I hope that he and others can convince this minister and his group to behave more sensibly. A document entitled "Love for All, Hatred for None-A Peaceful Message to the World Burning Scriptures-A Biblical Teaching?" produced by the Ahmadiyyah Muslims quotes Jesus' words from the Sermon on the Mount:

But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; that ye may be the children of your Father, which in heaven. (Matthew 5:4-45)"

"This burning is act of hatred whose only one goal is to cause as much personal offence and hurt as possible amongst the Muslim community. It has no place in Christianity and none in our society", Rev Nile stated.


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