(Editor's note: This article appeared earlier on the Seattle PostGlobe news site.)
A Facebook campaign, “Buy a Qur’an Day – 9/11,” is trying to show the world that the hatemongering, so-called pastor who planned and then canceled a burning of Qurans is not representative of Americans.
The campaign organizers, Lee-Ann Achterberg, Dai Lesty, John Lundin, and Jenni Siri, say:
“On a day when others wish to burn this Holy Book, we want to buy them, and buy more than they CAN burn.
“Not only should you buy a Qu'ran, but peruse it. Perhaps to gain a better understanding of Islam, and why it DOES attract so many people to that faith.
“Please join with us in solidarity. All Religions are but spokes of the One Wheel.”
“If you don't have the money to buy one but you still want to show your support for tolerance and freedom of religion, you can view the Qur'an online at: http://www.quraninenglish.com/cgi-local/pages.pl If you would like to learn more about Islam or any other faith you can visit: http://www.religioustolerance.org/”
One of the organizers, Jenni Siri, added this note to the Facebook site, explaining why she is getting involved.
“For me this simple action is a symbol that we understand that the extremist actions of a few never represent an entire faith. It doesn't matter if the extremist is Christian, Jewish, Muslim or any other faith ... if they are spreading hate and intolerance, they are not practicing what their own god teaches them. Love is the core belief in all of these religions, when one spreads hate, they go against their own faith, they go against their own god. I see this ‘Buy a Qur'an Day’ as a gesture that symbolizes our dream for a world of understanding, tolerance and peace.
“As Americans, this gives us the opportunity to ‘be’ what we claim to be, a nation with religious freedom. It's time we walk our talk.”
Locally, an interfaith gathering to remember the victims of 9/11 and to bring awareness and respect for all religious beliefs will be held at 6:00pm on Saturday (Sept. 11) at the Northlake Unitarian Universalist Church in Kirkland. See story here.
The Associated Press reported Thursday afternoon that the Florida minister decided not to go through with his plans to burn the Quran.
