By HEATHER BOSCH
KIRO Radio

President Obama is among those asking Rev. Terry Jones to refrain from marking the anniversary of the Sept. 11 terror attacks, with a Koran-fueled bonfire.

President Obama said he hopes a Florida pastor will "listen, to those better angels."

But Jones told KIRO'S Dori Monson, "For us, it's - like I said - a demonstration. It's standing up and saying no to Islam."

"He does have the freedom to burn Korans," said Arsalan Bukhari, the Executive Director of the Washington State chapter of American Islamic Relations.

However, Bukhari is frustrated that a Christian minister would associate all Muslims with the Al Qaeda terrorists who attack on Sept. 11.

The Church Council of Greater Seattle is among the Christian groups asserting that Jones does not speak for all Christians, either. Executive Director Michael Ramos says, "The Church council and the Christian communions throughout (Washington) state believe there's no place for this kind of hatred and bigotry."

"These are not congruent with Christian beliefs and the teachings of Jesus, peace be upon him," said Bukhari.

Bukhari says his group does not plan to protest the Koran burning. Instead, he says, local Muslims are planning ways to bring the community together on Saturday, like holding blood drives and feeding the homeless.

He does caution, that while American Muslims understand Pastor Jones has a freedom of speech, Muslims in other parts of the world won't understand. He says they'll think the U.S. opposes Islam.

His concerns echo President Obama's warning on ABC's Good Morning America, "This is a recruitment bonanza for Al Qaeda. You could have serious violence in places like Pakistan and Afghanistan."

Earlier this week Gen. David Petraeus, the top commander in Afghanistan, said Pastor Jones could be increasing the danger to his troops.

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