Al-Liqa’ Center for Religious and Heritage Studies in the Holy Land issued the following statement in response to pastor Terry Jones’ determination to burn texts of Islam’s Holy Qur’an.
We implore all people of good will to condemn this uncalled for unethical behavior of Terry Jones which plants the seeds of hate in the hearts of heavenly religions’ followers. In addition, this contradicts the spirit of the Holy Bible and Christianity’s teachings that call for love and brotherhood. Terry Jones’ unethical behavior contradicts as well the logic of dialogue with other religions, civilizations and cultures.
The freedom of expression does not mean under any circumstances the insult of “the Holy” of the other. We as Arabs in Palestine, both Muslims and Christians, insist on our national unity and shared living and we are proud of that. We believe in the respect of the other, his/her freedom and his/her dogma. At the same time we believe that the uncivilized act of Terry Jones will never influence the brotherly ties which unite us. On the contrary, it will strength our heartfelt love which we have been living under for many centuries and which we expect to live and experience for ever.
