Afghans rally against US Koran burning

Fury built across the Muslim world against a US pastor's threats to immolate the Koran on the anniversary of 9/11. In a turbulent start to the festival of Eid al-Fitr, when Muslims worldwide mark the end of the Ramadan fasting month, leaders of countries including Afghanistan and Indonesia issued dire warnings against the provocative act. Radical Florida evangelist Terry Jones issued a heavily conditioned offer to call off his event, which he had planned for Saturday's ninth anniversary of the September 11 attacks in protest against the "evil of Islam".

"We have heard that in the US, a pastor has decided to insult Korans. Now although we have heard that they are not doing this, we tell them they should not even think of it," Afghan President Hamid Karzai said in an Eid message. "By burning the Koran they cannot harm it. The Koran is in the hearts and minds of one-and-a-half billion people. (But) insulting the Koran is an insult to nations."

PressTV: US-led troops shoot Afghan protesters
BBC: US Koran-burning protests sweep Afghanistan.
Sky News: US Pastor 'Will Not Burn Koran' Amid Uproar
Der Spiegel: Terry Jones Accused of 'Spiritual Abuse' at Cologne Church
CNN: Florida pastor says he's 'rethinking' canceled Quran burning.
The Guardian: Qur'an burning: Pastor's threat escalates into international crisis.
Digital Journal: Koran-burning pastor was kicked out of German church.
Straits Times: Quran burning 'will ignite' the feelings of Muslims throughout the world.