Says it would be ‘recruitment bonanza’ for al Qaeda
According to U.S. President Barack Obama, a Florida church’s plans to burn dozens of Qurans this weekend could be a “recruitment bonanza” for al Qaeda. “You could have serious violence in places like Pakistan or Afghanistan,” Obama said. “This could increase the recruitment of individuals who’d be willing to blow themselves up in American cities or European cities.” These comments come as the international community has condemned the planned burning on Sept. 11. Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has asked Obama to stop the burning, and Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari expressed grave concerns over the act. But despite all that, Terry Jones, the pastor at the Gainesville, Florida church where the burning will be held, says he will go ahead with the Saturday plans.