Sources Close to Imam Behind NYC Project Deny There's a Deal (w/ Jones to Move It)

[Hissyspit]

Source: MSNBC

Pastor cancels burning, says mosque moving
But sources close to imam behind NYC project deny there's a deal

updated 2 minutes ago

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The pastor planning to burn Qurans on the Sept. 11 anniversary said Thursday that he had called off the event after being given assurances that the Muslim group seeking to build an Islamic center near the World Trade Center site would move the project.

- snip -

But sources close to the imam behind the New York mosque denied any deal had been struck. And Sharif Al-Gamal, owner of the building where the mosque and cultural center would be housed, told NBC News that there had had no discussions with Jones.

-snip -

It wasn't clear if he was referring to Imam Muhammad Musri of the Islamic Society of Central Florida, who appeared at the press conference with him, or Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, leader of the New York cultural center project.

- snip -

"I asked him three times, and I have witnesses," Jones said. "If it's not moved, then I think Islam is a very poor example of religion. I think that would be very pitiful. I do not expect that."

Read more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39074573

[drm604]

1. I thought that might be the case.

I wonder wtf Jones was going on about?

[thereismore]

4. You were right. I bought it HL&S. nt

[HuckleB]

2. With many of the big news agencies committing to no coverage...

...I wonder if this ploy is his way of extending his time in the limelight.

[cal04]

3. Imam Non-Profit: No Agreement To Move Mosque

http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2010/09/09/donald-trump-offers-to-buy-out-mosque-investor/

Moments after real estate mogul Donald Trump offered to put up the cash to stop the mosque near Ground Zero from being built, the leader of a small Florida church that espouses anti-Islam philosophy said Thursday he is canceling plans to burn copies of the Quran on Sept. 11.


Pastor Terry Jones said that he decided to cancel his protest because the leader of a planned Islamic Center near ground zero has agreed to move its controversial location.

However, Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf’s non-profit organization, the American Society for Muslim Advancement, told CBS 2 on Thursday night Rauf has not come to any agreement.

“Imam Rauf stands by what he said last night on CNN. There has been no change of plans. The Imam HAS NOT spoken to the minister in Florida,” the organization said in a statement.




Update Rauf tells ABC's Christian Amanpour, "We are not going to toy with our religion or any other, nor are we here to barter."
http://thinkprogress.org/2010/09/09/jones-cancel-burning/

Update Rauf tells ABC's Christian Amanpour, "We are not going to toy with our religion or any other, nor are we here to barter."

Update NBC's Savannah Guthrie reports that Defense Secretary Robert Gates called Jones today and asked him not to go forward with Quran burning.

[Hissyspit]

5. UPDATE: Imam to Jones - We are not going to barter our religion.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The imam proposing to build an Islamic center near the World Trade Center denied a Florida pastor's claim that a deal had been struck to move the project.
"I am glad that Pastor Jones has decided not to burn any Qurans," Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf said in a statement. "However, I have not spoken to Pastor Jones or Imam Musri (of Florida). I am surprised by their announcement. We are not going to toy with our religion or any other. Nor are we going to barter. We are here to extend our hands to build peace and harmony."

Phil Sandlin / AP
Pastor Terry Jones speaks to the media, joined by Imam Muhammad Musri of the Islamic Society of Central Florida on Thursday in Gainesville, Fla.
At a press conference earlier, the Rev. Terry Jones had said a deal was made, and as a result called off his plan to burn Qurans on the anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks this Saturday.
After the imam's denial, however, Jones spoke to reporters a second time, saying he had been "lied to" but still wanted to meet with Rauf on Saturday.

[Turborama]

6. Imam denies pastor's claim mosque to be moved ("I have not spoken to Pastor Jones or Imam Musri")

Source: MSNBC

The imam proposing to build an Islamic center near the World Trade Center denied a Florida pastor's claim that a deal had been struck to move the project.

"I am glad that Pastor Jones has decided not to burn any Qurans," Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf said in a statement. "However, I have not spoken to Pastor Jones or Imam Musri (of Florida). I am surprised by their announcement. We are not going to toy with our religion or any other. Nor are we going to barter. We are here to extend our hands to build peace and harmony."

At a press conference earlier, the Rev. Terry Jones had said a deal was made, and as a result called off his plan to burn Qurans on the anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks this Saturday.

After the imam's denial, however, Jones spoke to reporters a second time, saying he had been "lied to" but still wanted to meet with Rauf on Saturday.

Read more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39074573/ns/us_news-security/

[HankyDubs]

7. I am SHOCKED

That the Koran burning lunatics would stoop to telling lies!

[saltpoint]

8. Maybe Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf should announce

that they've decided to move the Islamic Center to Gainesville.

Say, right across the street from the Dove Outreach Church.