Pastor Terry Jones plans mass Koran burnings to mark 9/11

Pastor Terry Jones — who was sentenced to death by an Egyptian court in November for his ties to a film about Muslims that sparked Islamic riots — is planning a mass Koran burning to mark the 12th anniversary of Sept. 11.

A press release from his organization — Stand Up America! — states that on Sept. 11, 2013, group members and followers will hold an “International Burning of 2,998 Korans” to “send Islam a very clear warning.” The 2,998 reportedly represents the number who died during the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks.

“On September 11th, 2013, to remember those who were murdered by radical Islam, and to send Islam a very clear warning that they will not get their foothold in the American Constitution as they have done in Europe, we will be holding an International Burning,” he said, in the release. “The radical hand of Islam shows itself with violence against anyone who dares to stand up and speak the truth. … We will not be silent.”

Mr. Jones is the Florida-based pastor of Dove World Outreach. He helped promote a film that sparked Muslim outrage around the world last year; a court in Egypt convicted and sentenced to death seven Coptic Christians believed to have aided with the creation of the film in November. The court sentenced Mr. Jones — in his absence — to death, also.

At the time, Mr. Jones told The Associated Press the death sentence only revealed the “true face of Islam,” which he said trounced free speech rights. He also vowed that his rhetoric against Islam would not change.

“We can speak out here in American,” he said, as quoted by the AP in November. “That freedom means that we criticize government leadership, religion at times. Islam is not a religion that tolerates any type of criticism.”