Top Foreign Officials Slam ‘Koran Burning'

Top US and foreign officials in the United States and Afghanistan slammed the decision by a church in Florida to burn the holy Koran

While attending Ramadan fast breaking meal, the US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, remarked that the decision is a disrespect and a showcase of hatred toward Muslim communities.

The real and true Islam is spread all over the United States of America, said Clinton.

"We sit down together for this meal on a day when the news is carrying reports that a pastor down in Gazelle Florida plans to burn the holy Koran on September eleventh. I am heartened by the clear unequivocal condemnation of this disrespectful and disgraceful act that has come from American religious leaders of all faiths," she said.

The top US commander of US forces in Afghanistan, Gen. David Petraeus, also expressed concern on the decision.

"Images of the burning of a Quran would undoubtedly be used by extremists in Afghanistan - and around the world - to inflame public opinion and incite violence," Petraeus said to The Associated Press.

Meanwhile, speaking to TOLOnews, the UN special representative in Afghanistan, Staffan de Mistura remarked that doing such act is an offend to all the people around the world. Mr Staffan de Mistura urged the Florida pastor not to do so.

"I would like to convey to all of you and through you the deep concern and indeed the outrage of every member of the UN family in Afghanistan about the announcement by a small religious group abroad, about their intention to burn the holy book of Koran," said Mr de Mistura.

"Freedom of expression cannot mean offending millions and millions of Muslims who respect Islam and respect the Koran and by the way we too respect Islam and the Koran," he said.

"We want to add to concern outrage on our side in a firm request on behalf of every member of the International community present in Afghanistan to those who are planning to do so in next few days, not to do so," he added.

Concerns grows days after Kabul citizens staged a demonstration and called on the international community to stop the ‘Koran Burning'.