Ahlul Bayt News Agency ; In its statement, the Association of Combatant Clergy dismissed as 'regrettable' the decision to burn the holy Quran made by Florida pastor Terry Jones 'who claims to be a Christian,' reported ISNA.
"This abominable act has drawn the ire of Muslims," the statement says. "Efforts to promote hatred among monotheists have no place in Christian teachings."
The statement underlines that Jesus Christ is a messenger of peace and kindness, and "his soul will definitely not forgive those who desecrate the sanctities of more than a billion Muslims that honor him and his respected mother."
The statement emphasizes that the holy Quran reveres "all divine prophets, especially Jesus Christ," so defiling the holy Quran amounts to insulting all prophets, Jesus Christ in particular.
"We condemn such actions in any part of the world, by any person, group or sect, in any form, and under any pretext or justification," the Association of Combatant Clergy highlighted in its statement.
The statement cautions that evil-minded powers are in the business of sowing discord and violence among people, especially followers of major faiths, to serve their own interests.
Should such 'immoral' and 'inhuman' decisions become reality, the statement underlined, all Muslims across the globe are expected to express their hatred of such moves.
Pastor Terry Jones had announced earlier that he had decided to set fire to the holy Quran at his Florida-based church to mark the anniversary of September 11 attacks. However, on Thursday he said that he had decided to withdraw his plan.
"We have agreed to cancel our event on Saturday," he said.
The announcement of the decision to burn the holy Quran had drawn fierce international criticism.
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