Although Pastor Jones had to know that burning the Quran would trigger a violent response in the Muslim world, he had the right to do so under our Constitution. But his ignorant and hateful burning of Islam’s holy book is no excuse for the savage rampage that followed.
‘HOLD ISLAM ACCOUNTABLE’: U.S. PASTOR DEFIANT AFTER HIS KORAN-BURNING PUBLICITY STUNT LED TO TWO UN STAFF BEING BEHEADED AND FIVE OTHERS MURDERED
UN sources say final death toll could rise as high as 20. Demonstrations against the burnings take place across the Middle East
Mail Online
April 3, 2011
Florida pastor Terry Jones has refused to apologise for burning the Koran as violence over the stunt spreads across Afghanistan - after up to 20 UN workers were killed by a mob yesterday.
Indeed the head of the Dove World Outreach Center, the man whom many hold responsible for instigating the wave of protests, remained defiant over his decision to hold the Koran burning - saying it was time for 'Islam to be held accountable'.
At least seven United Nations staff were murdered - two by beheading - after extremists stormed their compound in the northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif.
The mob beheaded two U.N. guards, seized their weapons and began shooting those inside the compound after a demonstration against Koran burnings in the U.S. turned violent.
A suicide attack hit Kabul and a violent demonstration against Koran-burning rattled the southern city of Kandahar the day after the worst ever attack on the United Nations in Afghanistan, which killed seven foreign staff.
Security forces shot rounds into the air in Kandahar to stop a crowd from burning shops and cars bent on destruction while much of the rest of the city was closed and hospitals reported that 53 people were needed treatment.
Mr Jones, who ignored international warnings that his actions would undoubtedly lead to violent reprisals, said the blame laid at the feet of the attackers.
He said: 'We must hold these countries and people accountable for what they have done as well as for any excuses they may use to promote their terrorist activities. The time has come to hold Islam accountable.
'Our United States government and our President must take a close, realistic look at the radical element Islam. Islam is not a religion of peace.
'We demand action from the United Nations. Muslim dominated countries can no longer be allowed to spread their hate against Christians and minorities.'
The bloodshed is the worst attack on the U.N. in Afghanistan since the war began in 2001.
At least four Afghan workers were also killed and officials fear the total death toll could rise to 20.
The rampage began when more than 1,000 protesters flooded into the streets after Friday prayers, where they heard reports about the Koran burnings in America last month.
After slaying the guards, the armed mob scaled the compound's blast walls before setting fire to a guard tower and several other buildings.
Among those murdered were Norwegian, Romanian, Swedish and Nepalese nationals. Two were decapitated, it is understood.
The Afghan protests were in direct response to to Mr Jones's ceremonial burning of a copy of the Koran at a church in Florida on March 20.
The controversial pastor triggered international outrage last year when he urged Americans to burn the Koran on the ninth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
He relented following an intervention by President Obama but on March 20 he and pastor Wayne Sapp finally carried out their threat.
After Sapp set fire to the text, he let it burn for ten minutes.
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