ADL Calls “International Burn a Koran Day” Reprehensible

Date: August 5, 2010

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) condemns plans of the Dove World Outreach Center (DWOC) to hold “International Burn a Koran Day” on September 11, 2010.  While utterly reprehensible, these plans are not unexpected.  They fall within DWOC’s established pattern of anti-Islamic activities, which are detailed in a new ADL backgrounder on the group.   

Andrew Rosenkranz, ADL Florida Regional Director, issued the following statement: 

 The upcoming “International Burn a Koran Day” is the latest anti-Islam tactic employed by an organization led by Pastor Terry Jones and author of the book, “Islam is of the Devil.”  It undoubtedly is intended to cast blame on all Muslims for 9/11, and not the extremists who perpetrated the terrorist attack.

Recent examples of DWOC’s hate-fueled activities include: an “Islam is of the Devil” campaign in July 2009 which was publicly condemned by ADL; DWOC member participation in an anti-gay demonstration organized by the Westboro Baptist Church in April 2010; and a July 5, 2010 protest of the Islamic Center on University Ave. in Gainesville.

ADL in the News
Gainesville Sun: Top Muslim university condemns local church's plan to burn Quran 
The New York Times – ADL Letter to the Editor: A Pastor in Florida, and Anti-Muslim Bigotry