Local Islamic Council reacts to Quran burning

CLEVELAND - A local Muslim Council and other religious leaders are condemning the Quran burning being planned by Florida Pastor Terry Jones, yet urging tolerance and peace towards people of all faiths and beliefs.

Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) Executive Director Julia Shearson told NewsChannel5 she feels sorry for Pastor Jones.

"He doesn't understand who Muslims are.  He doesn't understand that we share many similar beliefs," Shearson said. "This is America, we have freedom of speech. We can use it responsibly or we can use it for foolishness."

CAIR is planning an interfaith news conference, where a new series of educational public service announcements will be unveiled. The PSAs feature Muslim-Americans talking about their experiences as first responders on September 11, 2001 in New York City. [Click on the extra video in the player window to view the PSAs.]

Rev. John Lentz of the Forest Hill Presbyterian Church said he plans to be at the CAIR press event. 

"There are times when we've got to decide who to stand with and what to stand for," said Lentz.  "The struggle is not against Islam-- it's against narrow, fundamentalist interpretation of scripture, whether your Islam, Christian, Jewish... Or whatever."