Burning the Koran would have sparked "a disaster" in the Muslim world, the Islamic cleric behind the plan to build an Islamic community center near the site of the September 11, 2001 attacks has said in an interview.
Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf told ABC News: "It would have strengthened the radicals. It would have enhanced the possibility of terrorist acts against America and American interests."
Meanwhile, reports from eastern Afghanistan say two people died after clashes with security forces on September 12. The two protesters were shot and killed during angry demonstrations in the Baraki Barak district of Logar Province over plans, which have been canceled, of a U.S. pastor to burn copies of the Koran on September 11.
compiled from agency reports
Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf told ABC News: "It would have strengthened the radicals. It would have enhanced the possibility of terrorist acts against America and American interests."
Meanwhile, reports from eastern Afghanistan say two people died after clashes with security forces on September 12. The two protesters were shot and killed during angry demonstrations in the Baraki Barak district of Logar Province over plans, which have been canceled, of a U.S. pastor to burn copies of the Koran on September 11.
compiled from agency reports