Pastor Jones of Gainsville-based Dove Center has announced to call off the Quran-burning demonstration. News agencies have reported that the new stance comes after agreement between Florida Imam Musri (based outside of Gainsville) and Jones to meet with leaders of Park51 Muslim community center project (the so-called "Ground-Zero Mosque"). It was reported that Park51 leaders would meet with Jones if he cancelled his event.
Jones claimed to have obtained assurances from non-specified Muslim leaders (and when pressed to identify, he pointed to Musri) to move the center away from the current proposed location. This claim is his justification for the initial cancellation of his event.
Muslim leaders including Musri deny this, saying that there was an agreement only to bring the two sides together for handling the impasse calmly. They say there was no prior finalized agreement or understanding regarding relocation.
While the calling-off is commendable, I am puzzled by the Pastor's assertions after he concluded his meeting with Musri.
I am more surprised (or rather taken aback) by newer developments (within perhaps only hours of the Pastor's announcement) that he would "reconsider" the calling-off, triggered by what he claims are lies given to him by Musri. Furthermore, even more awing was his response (in the same press interview) to a question fielded about his attitude to a hypothetical situation of deaths resulting from implementation of the Quran-burning. After saying that he would feel "very bad" about the deaths, he continues: "We think [what] we would have done ... does reveal the real violence of Islam, the fear that is related with Islam that is actually much much deeper than what we had in the United States imagined." So, in other words, if I understand him correctly: an unfortunate event is apparently 'needed' to 'expose the horrible truth that is Islam' [obviously, I'm paraphrasing him in this last sentence].
So we have to witness more rhetoric of hype, reductionism, stereotyping, (and even hate,) etc, [coupled again with statements that he will make a 'prayerful decision' over the impasse] from the Pastor ...
Meanwhile, news reports already have surfaced of animated reaction on part of some Muslims---like flag burnings and inflamed chants. I repeat my urging again that it would be most wise and productive for Muslims not to repeat the mistakes that some have done earlier in response to Prophet Mohammed cartoons and other provocations. It is understandable that emotions are likely to run high. But it is essential to highlight that overreactions to provocations may not measure up with Islamic behavioral ethics. It runs counter to a rich tradition of calm, measured response and conduct that includes challenging ignorance with knowledge and challenging hateful behavior/expression with beautiful speech. Overreactions also may reinforce stereotypical and reductionist images of Muslims and Islam, thereby helping to further polarize a poisoned atmosphere.
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Pastor Jones has reportedly called off his event permanently a day after this post was submitted. In a fashion that exhibited tested theatrics (again), he ended by stating he 'proved' a point about Islam. Except that he neglected to mention that he was instrumental in helping create that point.
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