RIYADH, Se 10 (Arab News): Saleh S. Al-Wohaibi, the head of the World Assembly of Muslim Youth (WAMY), has expressed fears the burning of copies of the Qura'n by a small church in Florida on Saturday, the anniversary of the September 2001 attacks, has the potential of sparking violence in different parts of the world.
The WAMY chief said that the burning of the Holy Book could spark anti-American violence, including against US soldiers in Afghanistan and Iraq.
"This is also a concern shared by the US commander in Afghanistan," said the WAMY chief, referring to Gen. David Petraeus' recent comments about the controversy.
Al-Wohaibi called the move by 58-year-old evangelical minister Terry Jones of the Dove World Outreach Center a "highly provocative and idiotic act," but he urged Muslim youths to respond to in a "sensible manner."
Makkah-based Muslim World League (MWL) Secretary-General Abdullah Al-Turki also spoke out against the planned book burning, calling it "an act of heinous aggression on Islam and its religious book."
Calling Jones' plans a "crime," Al-Turki urged Islamic organizations, social activists, interfaith advocacy groups, Islamic centers and civil societies in the US to take necessary measures to prevent the book burning from taking place.
The WAMY chief said the book burning would help unravel attempts by moderate Muslims to reach out in promoting peace and harmony. Al-Wohaibi made it clear that the burning of Qur'an will add to hostility that already persists against Americans in the Middle East. He said that Islamic states, rich in resources, had extended hands of friendship and dialogue, but certain elements in the West, especially in the US, are not behaving and responding properly.
"Large communities of Muslims are there in the US, while Muslims are in majority in approximately 50 countries worldwide," said the WAMY chief, expressing concerns over the backlash that might follow after the burning of Qura'n.
There are countries like Egypt, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, Gaza, other places around the world, where Christians are in minorities, but they are living with peace, harmony and brotherhood, he added.