Angelina Jolie condemns planned Quran burning

The 35-year-old actress, who is currently touring flood-hit areas of Pakistan to drum up support for victims, thinks the proposed burning could trigger religious hatred.

In July, Pastor Terry Jones, who heads a tiny, little-known church in Florida, proclaimed that he would stage "International Burn-a-Koran Day" at his church book on Sept. 11 to mark the ninth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.

The planned Quran-torching event Saturday has sparked fears about heightened Christian-Muslim tensions in the US as well as elsewhere in the world, especially the Middle East.

Despite a growing concerns and warnings from Military Leaders, the Obama White House, the Vatican and Angelina Jolie, the 58-year-old leader of the tiny evangelical church is determined to move forward with his plan.

Jolie expresses her opposition to burning religious Quran
In a news conference in Islamabad on Wednesday, Jolie condemned Pastor Jones’ plan to burn copies of the Muslim holy book on Saturday, according to The Associated Press.

"I have hardly the words that somebody would do that to somebody's religious book," the Oscar-winning actress, who is a United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Goodwill Ambassador, told reporters.

When asked if she supported the American Christian minister’s plan to burn the Islamic holy book, she replied: "Of course not, of course not."

Top US officials are concerned
Jolie's criticism echoed that of US military commanders who fear that the move could endanger American lives in Afghanistan and worldwide.

In an email to the Associated Press, General David Petraeus, head of the US military in Afghanistan, warned that "images of the burning of a Koran would undoubtedly be used by extremists in Afghanistan - and around the world - to inflame public opinion and incite violence".

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also echoed Gen. Petraeus' concerns about plans by the Florida minister to host an "International Burn a Koran Day" to protest the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

While speaking to the Council of Foreign Relations Thursday morning, Clinton condemned the demonstration, saying: "It is regrettable that a pastor in Gainesville, Florida, with a church of no more than 50 people can make this outrageous and distrustful, disgraceful plan and get the world's attention, but that's the world we live in right now."

Fla. minister has no intention of canceling Quran burn
Despite a growing concerns and warnings from Military Leaders, the Obama White House, the Vatican and Angelina Jolie, the 58-year-old leader of the tiny evangelical church is determined to move forward with his plan.

"We are still determined to do it, yes," the Rev Jones told the CBS Early Show.

"We think it's time to turn the tables, and instead of possibly blaming us for what could happen, we put the blame where it belongs - on the people who would do it," he told the Associated Press. "And maybe instead of addressing us, we should address radical Islam and send a very clear warning that they are not to retaliate in any form."