Christian Organizations Pick Up Qur'ans That Were Scheduled to be Burned in Gainesville, Florida
Groups had the 225 Qur'ans, which weighed 200 pounds, shipped to Washington, D.C.
Contact: Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney, 540-538-4741, 202-547-1735
WASHINGTON, Sept. 16 /Christian Newswire/ -- The Christian Defense Coalition and the National Clergy Council had the Qur'ans sent to the nation's capitol to ensure they would never be burned and to send a powerful message that Christians don't hate Muslims and are praying for them.
Click here to view boxes of Qur'ans shipped to DC
Both the Christian Defense Coalition and the National Clergy Council are based in Washington, D.C.
Once the Qur'ans arrive in Washington, D.C. next week, the ministries will hold a news conference announcing their future plans with the Qur'ans.
The Christian Defense Coalition and the National Clergy Council also want to thank Rev. Terry Jones for not burning the Qur'ans.
Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney, Director of the Christian Defense Coalition, who flew down to Gainesville this week to pick up the Qur'ans and pray with Pastor Jones, states:
"By picking up the Qur'ans, and ensuring they will not be destroyed, we want to send a clear message that Christians love and are praying for our Muslim neighbors. It is important for the Christian community to build bridges to the Islamic world and share the heart of Christ.
"We also wanted to ensure that our sons and daughters who are faithfully serving in the military would be protected and that Christian workers, teachers and professionals who are serving Christ in Islamic countries would not be put at risk."
Rev. Rob Schenck, President of the National Clergy Council, and who personally met and prayed with Pastor Jones last Friday, adds:
"The biggest challenge Christians face today is our relationship to Muslim people in the Islamic world. We need to prayerfully meet this challenge and learn to love our Muslim neighbors as Christ loves them. Securing the Qur'ans was a small step in that direction."
For more information or interviews call:
Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney at 540.538.4741 202.547.1735
