Carl Moeller, President of Open Doors USA, Says 'Quran Burning Could Endanger Persecuted Church'

The head of an international advocacy organization for persecuted Christians is calling on a Florida church to cancel its plans to burn the Quran Saturday, saying the move could bring a backlash of attacks.

Carl Moeller, president of Open Doors USA, said the protest to commemorate the ninth anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks could endanger Christians in predominantly Muslim nations and violates Jesus' command to love one's neighbor.

"The burning of Qurans will only confirm what many Muslims believe - that Christians hate Muslims," Moeller said. "That is exactly the opposite message we as Christians want to send."

Indonesian Christians also warned of possible backlash after Muslims organized a protest Saturday condemning the proposed "International Burn a Koran Day."

Terry Jones, pastor of Dove World Outreach Centre in Gainesville, Fla., which is leading the Quran burning, said his group wants to warn of the dangers of Islam.

"Islam and Sharia law was responsible for 9/11," Jones told AFP. "We will burn Qurans because we think it's time for Christians, for churches, for politicians to stand up and say 'no. Islam and Sharia law is not welcome in the U.S.'"

This week, Gen. David Petraeus, the U.S. commander in Afghanistan, warned that the church's move could endanger U.S. troops.

"It is precisely the kind of action the Taliban uses and could cause significant problems," Petraeus said in a statement. "Not just here, but everywhere in the world we are engaged with the Islamic community."