Michigan Muslims invite Terry Jones to dinner

LANSING, Mich., Aug. 30 (UPI) -- A Michigan Islamic society says it has issued a dinner invitation to Terry Jones, the Florida pastor whose support of Koran-burning caused a national uproar.

"As a man of God, hopefully he understands that part of being godly is extending a hand in friendship," Abdalmajid Katranji, spokesman for the Greater Lansing Islamic Society, said.

Society members accept Jones' right to free speech, he said.

"He's entitled to his opinions," Katranji told the Lansing State-Journal.

Jones will be in Lansing Sept. 7 for a rally at the Capitol.

Katranji said mid-Michigan Muslims are being encouraged to stay away from the rally rather than protesting.

Jones made national headlines last fall when he threatened to burn a Koran, the holy book of Islam, on Sept. 11.