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Terry Jones Contemplates Burning Quran: Imam Meeting Not Planned

by Amy Judd | September 10, 2010 at 09:36 am

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Florida Pastor Terry Jones Says 'Burn a Quran' Day is Still Being Contemplated, While Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf Says Meeting Not Planned

Pastor Terry Jones appeared on The Early Show on CBS on Friday and told the show that the 'Burn a Quran' day had been called off, but he then told reporters in Florida that he was 'still contemplating' holding the event.

He then issued a challenge that in the next two hours Imam Rauf has to call Pastor Jones and tell him if a meeting is on and if the Imam plans to move the Mosque.

He had previously said:

"We are seriously, seriously, seriously considering not burning the Qurans. That is absolutely right,"

He then said that the Dove World Outreach Center hopes that they can come to a conclusion, but would not answer definitely that the event had been canceled or that it was still back on.

However, the Imam released a statement on Friday saying:

"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.

Terry Jones has maintained that local Florida Imam Mohammad Musri told him that the meeting was already arranged and that is why he called off the event in front of reporters on Thursday. Imam Musri said that no meeting was promised but that he hoped a meeting could take place.

"I made it very clear to him: I have no control over the project in New York," Musri said. "I am just a mediator here. I promised to set up the meeting and take him along, pay for it, but no guarantee that I can move that mosque. It's not my decision."

Jones maintains that Musri promised him the meeting.

It is now not clear when the three parties may be able to meet, and it could be early next week as there are so many events scheduled for September 11.