9/11 Quran Burning

Shengxi Li's picture

On September 11th, 2010, millions of Americans are planning to burn the Quran as a memorial to all those who died in the terrorist attacks and as an act of defiance against terrorism.
 
And that'd be all great and dandy, if it weren't for two things:
 
One, the terrorists were extremists who obviously misinterpret the Islamic faith and twist it to their own liking. Many educated Muslims and Islamic religious leaders have again and again expressed that such violence is NOT what their faith is about. In fact, many have cited the Quran directly, showing exactly where in the holy book it states this. Burning of the Quran, in short, would be burning a document that supports what we support: anti-terrorism. Not only that, we would also be offending the hundreds upon thousands Muslims who practice their faith in peace and in harmony, who want peace and harmony, by burning something extremely sacred and special to them.
 
Two, the last highly memorable book-burning in history was before the Holocaust. In history, every single oppressive regime has ordererd book burning and every single atrocity has been foreshadowed by bookburning. If you don't believe me, check it up. Book-burning is not a sign of liberty. It is not a sign of tolerance. It is not a sign of remembrance. It is oppression.
 
So as much as I can relate to the frustration and pain that people feel over 9/11, burning the Quran will not make us feel any better nor will it help our cause.