Open Doors USA President Urges Continued Prayers, Advocacy for Persecuted
Contact: Jerry Dykstra, Media Relations Director, Open Doors USA, 616-915-4117, JerryD@odusa.org
SANTA ANA, Calif., Sept. 9 /Christian Newswire/ -- Due to the prayers of millions of Christians and pressure from worldwide secular and religious groups, including Open Doors USA, Rev. Terry Jones has reportedly called off his controversial plan to burn copies of the Quran on the ninth anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States.
Jones, pastor of the Dove World Outreach Center in Gainesville, Fla., threatened to burn the Qurans on Saturday on his church grounds. The plan had already sparked protests and outrage across the Muslim world, including in Pakistan, Indonesia and Afghanistan.
On Tuesday, Dr. Carl Moeller, president/CEO of Open Doors USA, called for Jones to scrap his plans due to the backlash it would have generated on Christians already facing intense persecution in predominately Muslim countries and because the burning of the Qurans would send a message of hate which is contrary to the teachings of Jesus in the Bible.
"This is truly an answer to the prayers of millions of Christians who believe we need to reach out to Muslims in love and not hate and intolerance," said Moeller this afternoon. "The repercussions for Christians worldwide would have been huge.
"We are grateful that Terry Jones is reportedly backing off on his planned burning of the Qurans. But we need to continue to speak out as this might not be the end of the controversy."
Moeller added that earlier today he received a message from a missionary in a Muslim country who pleaded for prayers for the safety of all Christian missions and churches in his area if the Quran burning had taken place as planned.
"We can not let our guard down," says Moeller. "The reality is that Christians already are under extreme scrutiny with little or no religious freedom... over 100 million around the globe. We need to continue to be fervent in our prayers for those suffering for their faith in Jesus Christ and vigilant in being the voice for the voiceless."
If you would like to arrange an interview, please contact Open Doors USA Media Relations Director Jerry Dykstra at 616-915-4117 or email JerryD@odusa.org.
An estimated 100 million Christians worldwide suffer interrogation, arrest and even death for their faith in Christ, with millions more facing discrimination and alienation. Open Doors supports and strengthens believers in the world's most difficult areas through Bible and Christian literature distribution, leadership training and assistance, Christian community development, prayer and presence ministry and advocacy on behalf of suffering believers. To partner with Open Doors USA, call toll free at 888-5-BIBLE-5 (888-524-2535) or go to our Website at www.OpenDoorsUSA.org.
