A top official at the US Embassy in Jakarta has publicly promised an apology after receiving a letter of protest against a Florida church’s plans for an international burn a Qur’an day.
The Dove World Outreach Center of Gainesville, Florida, plans to stage the event on Sept. 11 to mark the 2001 terrorist attacks in the USA. The notion has triggered outrage among Muslims in Indonesia and worldwide.
“We are deeply concerned, and many Americans of all faiths disagree with the initiative,” said Ted Lyng, the embassy’s chief of political affairs, at a meeting with representatives of Pluralism Care Movement on Aug. 9. “We are pleased to receive this letter and the communication from the Indonesian religious leaders.”
Later, a press conference was organized after the delegation of religious leaders and activists met with Lyng to register their concerns.
Delegates included Damien Dematra of the Pluralism Care Movement, Sacred Heart Bishop Petrus Canisius Mandagi of Amboina, head of the Indonesian Bishops’ Conference, Reverend Hendrik Lokra of the Communion of Churches in Indonesia and Abdul Mu’ti from Muhammadiyah, the second largest Muslim organization in Indonesia.
“The meeting with Lyng was good,” said Bishop Mandagi, “and I can confirm that the US embassy has promised to write an apology in various media.” He added, “The evangelical church’s plan is not only the concern of Muslims but of all religious followers.”
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