KABUL, Afghanistan, Sept. 8 (UPI) -- The right to free expression shouldn't be confused with deliberate offense, the U.N. special envoy to Afghanistan said of a group's plan to burn the Koran.
The Dove World Outreach Center in Gainesville, Fla., plans to mark the Saturday anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks on the United States by burning copies of the Koran. Center officials said the event was a warning against what it considers threats posed by Islam.
Staffan de Mistura, the U.N. special envoy to Afghanistan, expressed on behalf of the international community in Afghanistan his "outrage" over the plans announced the Dove World Outreach Center.
"The exercise of the freedom of expression should not be confused with the intention to offend the religion and beliefs of millions of people," he said in a statement. "If such an abhorrent act were to be implemented, it would only contribute to fueling the arguments of those who are indeed against peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan."
Terry Jones, the pastor at the small Gainesville church, said in a Tuesday interview with CNN that his group has "firmly" made up its mind to continue with the protests despite the international uproar.
De Mistura, echoing comments made this week by the top military commander in Afghanistan, U.S. Army Gen. David Petraeus, said the Koran burning would put many Afghan and foreign lives at risk.
This year anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks coincides with the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
