Friday, September 10, 2010

Obama denounces planned Koran burning, renews call for religious tolerance

Washington Post
September 10, 2010

President Obama on Friday described religious tolerance as "that thing that is best in us," renewing his call for improved relations with the Muslim world a day after the pastor of a small Florida church suspended plans to burn copies of the Koran on the ninth anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks. Meantime, the imam behind a proposed Islamic cultural center and mosque near Ground Zero said no meeting is planned with the Florida pastor behind the Koran event.

"I am prepared to consider meeting with anyone who is seriously committed to pursuing peace. We have no such meeting planned at this time. Our plans for the community center have not changed. With the solemn day of September 11 upon us, I encourage everyone to take time for prayer and reflection," Feisal Abdul Rauf said in a statement issued by his publicist.

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