Rev. Jones Stands Down; Quran Burning Canceled
Fla. Minister's Controversial Plan to Burn Copies of Muslim Holy Book Won't Happen on Ninth Anniversary of Terror Attacks
AP) Updated at 5:11 p.m. ET
The leader of a small Florida church that espouses anti-Islam philosophy says he is canceling plans to burn copies of the Quran on Sept. 11.
September 11 Remembered
The Rev. Terry Jones said Thursday 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. The agreement couldn't be immediately confirmed.
Jones' plans to burn Islam's holiest text Saturday sparked an international outcry.
President Obama, the top U.S. general in Afghanistan and several Christian leaders had urged Jones to reconsider his plans. They said his actions would endanger U.S. soldiers and provide a strong recruitment tool for Islamic extremists. Jones' protest also drew criticism from religious
The Rev. Terry Jones, right, talks to reporters Sept. 9, 2010, as Imam Muhammad Musri looks on outside Jones' church in Gainesville, Fla.