American Muslims Vow to Replace Every Holy Quran Burned Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA invites all Muslims to respond to assault on holy book with patience, prayer and peaceful protest The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA intends to donate at least one copy of the Holy Quran for every one that is burned in the Dove World Outreach Center’s “International Burn a Koran Day” on Sept. 11. Despite calls from religious leaders, politicians and civic groups around the world to cancel an event that will only fan the flames of extremism, Pastor Terry Jones of Gainesville, Florida, has vowed to burn copies of the Holy Quran on Saturday. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community strongly condemns the desecration of Islam’s holy book, but will respond in its tradition of peaceful protest. “Here in the United States, we don’t burn books,” said Dr. Nasim Rehmatullah, Vice President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA. “We read them freely and debate their content. As Muslims who stand for peace, we proclaim the holiness of all sacred scriptures and invite everyone to an open dialogue on the Holy Quran. ” Copies of the Holy Quran will be donated to libraries, college campuses and interfaith groups by all 70 chapters of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA. Interfaith symposia honoring all holy texts will continue to be held across the country. For more information, please contact spokesperson Waseem Sayed at 909-636-4397 or visit MuslimsForPeace.org.   About the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community: The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is a dynamic, reformist and fast-growing international movement within Islam. Founded in 1889, the Community spans more than 195 countries with membership exceeding tens of millions. Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA, established in 1920, is the first American-Muslim organization. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is the only Islamic organization to believe that the long-awaited messiah has come in the person of Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (1835-1908) of Qadian, India. Ahmad claimed to be the metaphorical second coming of Jesus of Nazareth and the divine guide, whose advent was foretold by the Prophet of Islam, Muhammad (peace be upon him). The Community believes that God sent Ahmad, like Jesus, to end religious wars, condemn bloodshed and reinstitute morality, justice and peace. Ahmad’s advent has brought about an unprecedented era of Islamic revival and moderation. He divested Muslims of fanatical beliefs and practices by vigorously championing Islam’s true and essential teachings. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is also the only Islamic organization to endorse a separation of mosque and state. More than a century ago, Ahmad taught his followers to protect the sanctity of both religion and government by staying loyal to one’s homeland. He cautioned against irrational interpretations of Quranic pronouncements and misapplications of Islamic law. He continually voiced his concerns over protecting the rights of God’s creatures. Today, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community continues to be an advocate for universal human rights. It champions the empowerment and education of women. Its members are among the most law-abiding, educated, and engaged Muslims in the world. # # #

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Burning Scripture: An Act of Hatred, Not Harmony

His Holiness Khalifatul Masih V, Mirza Masroor Ahmad

Burning the Holy Qur'an would be a most provocative act and would achieve nothing but cause distress and anger to millions of peace-loving people worldwide. We believe that burning any religious scripture is directly contrary to the teachings of not just Christianity, but of all of the world's major religions.

Ye that love the LORD, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked. (Psalm 97:10) 

Be ye kind one to another, tender hearted, forgiving one another...(Ephesians 4:32)

Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee. (Proverbs 20:22) 

Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. (Romans 12:17-18)

The Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, His Holiness, Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, has said that religious extremism of all kinds must be eradicated:

Religious extremism, be it Christian extremism, Muslim extremism or any other kind is never a true reflection of the religion. Indeed a number of churches have condemned this act. There is nothing wrong with intellectual or theological debate but this should be conducted within the bounds of decency and tolerance. Instead what we are seeing is hatred being spread.

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has always expressed deep concern that some so-called Muslims have tarnished Islam's name with their cruel and hate-filled acts. Those who perpetrate such acts fail to realize the true teachings of Islam. The Holy Qur'an was sent as a gift to mankind, and its teachings are filled with love. tolerance and respect. It is through such attributes that we can achieve peace, an objective that His Holiness has repeatedly emphasized:

The world needs peace, love and brotherhood. The world needs an end to wars, Instead of walls of hatred being erected we need peace to prevail and for this to occur people of all faiths must join together. As I said there is nothing wrong with debates but they should take place in a peaceful and respectful environment.

We would like to reiterate that Islam categorically rejects and condemns every form of terrorism. It does not provide any cover or justification for any act of violence, whether committed by an individual, a group or a government. According to Islam, no religion can sanction violence and bloodshed of innocent men, women and children in the name of God, since all religions came from God Who sent His prophets to create peace.


The Holy Qur'an champions the sanctity of life:

...whosoever killed a person - unless it be for killing a person or for creating disorder in the land - it shall be as if he killed all mankind; and whoso gave life to one, it shall be as if he had given life to all mankind. (5:33) [Translated by Maulawi Sher Ali]

This verse leaves no doubt that in Islam there is no justification whatsoever for terrorism.


We invite the world to open a civilized dialog and to study Islam firsthand in light of its true teachings and in light of a community that reflects its most peaceful message.


The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community champions "Love for All, Hatred for None" - a peaceful and inclusive motto that extends to our Christian and Jewish brothers and sisters and indeed all of God's creation.


We hope that by engaging in civilized dialog we can build bridges, remove misunderstandings about Islam and Christianity and lead the way together to create a more peaceful and harmonious society.

All Biblical references are from the King James Version.


This article is authored by Navida Sayed

Is Burning Scriptures A Biblical Teaching?

On the ninth anniversary of the attacks of September 11, 2001, the Dove World Outreach Center is planning to hold a "Burn a Koran Day," citing Islam as an evil religion and claiming that "Islam is of the devil." The Center is defending its plans with a Biblical reference from The Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 19, verse 19.

And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them. Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, we adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth. And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so. And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you? And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds. Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed. (Acts 19:11-20)

This is the only such incident of "book burning" recorded in the New Testament. However, for verse 19:19 to be used in support of Christians gathering together to burn the scriptures of other faiths publicly is not logical and is unsupported by any other Christian teaching. The scrolls that are burnt in this verse are burnt by their owners themselves, the implication being that they are aware that what is contained within is not truthful and they fear being disgraced as those as those who has been using Jesus' name to drive out demons were disgraced. They openly confess their actions and then burn the scrolls to show they are putting an end to such practices in the future.

This is a completely different scenario from the one being presented by the Dove Center to justify burning the Qur'an. In fact burning a Holy book of believers of another faith was not and could not have been the teaching of Jesus, who taught love, compassion and forgiveness:

Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. (Matthew 5:5)

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. (Matthew 5:7)

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:9-10)

Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and the good and sendeth rain on the just and unjust. (Matthew 5:43-45)

For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. (Matthew 6:14-45) 

Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. (Matthew 7:1-2)

And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. (Mark 11:25)

In light of these clear teachings, we urge the Dove World Outreach Center to reflect upon the peaceful message of Jesus (peace be upon him) which is clearly a message of peace, not hatred.

Love for All, Hatred for None


All Biblical references are from the King James Version