Clinton Condemns Fla. Pastor's Koran Burning

(NewsCore) - A controversial plan to burn the Koran on September 11 was condemned as "disrespectful and disgraceful" by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton late Tuesday.

Speaking at a function to celebrate Islam's Holy Month of Ramadan, Clinton blasted the planned demonstration by a Florida pastor, Fox News Channel reported.

"We sit down together for this meal on a day when the news is carrying reports that a pastor down in Gainesville, Florida plans to burn the holy Koran on September 11th," she told guests at the Department of State iftar -- the evening meal at which Muslims break their fast during Ramadan -- where she was joined by Special Representative to Muslim Communities Farah Pandith.

"I am heartened by clear unequivocal condemnation of this disrespectful, disgraceful act that has come from American religious leaders of all faiths -- from evangelical Christians, to Jewish rabbis as well as secular U.S. leaders and opinion makers."

Earlier Tuesday Terry Jones, pastor at the Dove World Outreach Center in Gainesville, vowed to move forward with his burning of the Muslim holy book, despite condemnation from U.S. officials and world leaders who believe the act could incite violence in the Middle East.

’We feel it’s maybe the right time for America to stand up,’ Jones told myFOXorlando.com. ’How long are we going to bow down? How long are we going to be controlled, by the terrorists, by radical Islam?’

’We feel it’s time for the church to stand up,’ he added.

Jones timed the protest to coincide with the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on the U.S. by Islamic al Qaeda fanatics.

Gen. David Petraeus, commander of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan, warned Monday the Koran burning could endanger U.S. troops and the safety of Americans worldwide and inflame and incite violence.

NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, in a visit to the White House Tuesday, joined Petraeus in speaking out against Jones’ decision to go forward, saying he ’strongly condemned’ such an act, and urged all people to ’demonstrate a respect for faith.’

State Department Spokesman P.J. Crowley called the decision ’un-American.’

’It is un-American in the sense that it does not represent the views of the vast majority of Americans, who are respectful of religions -- of the world's great religions,’ Crowley told reporters during the daily press briefing.

The church has received not only messages condemning the planned burning, but threats have been made against Jones and the members of his church, according to myFOXorlando.com -- however, if anything should happen Jones said he would not feel he or his church was to blame.

’We will not be responsible,’ Jones said. ’We are only reacting to the violence that is already there in that religion.’

Jones did receive backing from New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who while admitting the plan was ’distasteful’, added that Jones’ decision was protected by his First Amendment right, the New York Post reported.