The president of a Muslim organization in Etobicoke said worshippers are "concerned" about a plan by a Florida-based church to burn a Qur'an to mark the anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks on the U.S.
"It's our sacred book," said Omar Farouk, head of the International Muslims' Organization (IMO) on Rexdale Boulevard. "For someone to think of burning such a book clearly demonstrates the lack of understanding of Islam and having no fear for God's revelation."Florida-based Dove World Outreach Centre has said it will burn copies of the Qur'an on the ninth anniversary of Sept. 11. The website for the Dove church has posted a link to 'International Burn a Koran (sic) Day', which redirects users to a Facebook page that explains: "On September 11, 2010, from 6 - 9 p.m., we will burn the Koran on the property of Dove World Outreach Center in Gainesville, FL in remembrance of the fallen victims of 9/11 and to stand against the evil of Islam. Islam is of the devil!"The announcement has already sparked outrage and protests in Afghanistan, according to media reports. But Farouk said so far, there isn't the same outrage in the local Muslim community. "We're just hoping (the burning) doesn't happen and they will see the importance of the (Qur'an) equal to the Bible," he said. But if the books are incinerated, "certainly it will disturb the (Muslim) community and the world ... but what will be the outcome of that, I really don't know," he added.Amyn Sayani, a volunteer with the Aga Khan Council for Canada based in North York representing the Ismaili community, said on the issue, "from our perspective, we think the burning of the Qur'an, or the burning of the Holy Bible (or other holy scriptures) is disrespectful to their religion."He called the proposed torching of the Qur'an "saddening", and that it "speaks to the misconception of the faith of Islam which is very diverse...it speaks to the need for greater understanding between people, more dialogue so that we all understand each other so we're building a tolerant society."A development in the Don Mills Road and Eglinton Avenue area slated for completion in 2013 includes the Ismaili Centre Toronto and the Aga Khan Museum. Sayani said the museum is one way in which "the faith and plurality of Islam can be understood."Meanwhile, worshippers are expected to flock to the IMO during Eid, marking the end of the religious observance Ramadan, on Sept. 10. Farouk said 10,000 people are expected to offer prayers at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m.A statement on the IMO's website reads, "Islam has certainly become a misunderstood religion and because of that, sincere Muslims have already started paying the price." Making reference to the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, the statement continues, "A new form of terrorism driven by frustration and anger has pushed some people against Muslims, Arabs, and other visible minorities."The U.S. Embassy in Kabul posted a statement on its website reading, "The United States government in no way condones such acts of disrespect against the religion of Islam, and is deeply concerned about deliberate attempts to offend members of religious or ethnic groups."On Wednesday, Canada's defence minister Peter Mackay also decried the burning of Qur'ans.