Local Muslims pray in face of possible protests

KANSAS CITY, Missouri - Local members of the Islamic Circle of North America are trying to educate people about the Quran and their religion in light of possible protests.

“We are trying to distribute as many Qurans as possible because people are (talking about) burning Qurans without knowing what is in the Quran,” said Riyaz Lareef, Secretary for the Islamic Circle of North America, Kansas City. “So we are asking people to call our hotline.”

For days, a Florida pastor named Terry Jones and his 50 member church planned to burn copies of the Quran on Saturday, September 11. Despite pleas from President Barack Obama and the top US commander in Afghanistan, who fear such action would endanger troops, Jones continued until Thursday.

Jones claimed he cut a deal with an imam from New York who is trying to build an Islamic Center near Ground Zero.

“The imam has agreed to move the mosque,” Jones said during a press conference. “We have agreed to cancel our event on Saturday.”

However, the imam denies such an agreement. Now, Jones is rethinking his decision.

If he does, members of Westboro Baptist Church promise a similar protest. In a statement, the church said it will burn both the Quran and the American flag on Saturday if Jones’ church backs out.

“(Friday) all Muslims around the world and in the US can go into prayer,” Lareef said.

Muslims like Lareef are hoping to celebrate the end of Ramadan without seeing or hearing about burning Qurans.