Public and private security organizations worldwide have issued security warnings in anticipation of a Koran-burning ceremony organized by a fringe evangelical preacher in Gainesville, Florida, on the ninth anniversary of 9-11.

According to ABC News, the FBI field office in Jacksonville, Florida, issued an intelligence bulletin on August 19 [1]that warned against possible retaliation by radical Islamists if the pastor of  the Dove World Outreach Center [2],Terry Jones, goes through with his Koran-burning event.

"While the FBI has no information to indicate a specific attack has been planned against the United States or U.S. assets in response to the 'International Burn a Koran Day' event, the FBI assesses with high confidence that, as with past incidents perceived as acts of desecration against Islam, extremist actors will continue to threaten or attempt to harm the leaders, organizers, or attendees the event," the bulletin argues.

Today the State Department as well as Interpol both issued advisories fearing Jones' actions will unleash violent reprisals across the world.

The State Department's travel advisory cautions [3] U.S. citizens of anti-American demonstrations in reaction to the event. "Demonstrations, some violent, have already taken place in several countries, including Afghanistan and Indonesia, in response to media reports of the church's plans," according to the advisory. "The potential for further protests and demonstrations, some of which may turn violent, remains high." (....continued on next page)

INTERPOL also issued a global alert  [4] today to its 188 member countries stating "that if the proposed Koran burning by a pastor in the US goes ahead as planned, there is a strong likelihood that violent attacks on innocent people would follow."

INTERPOL Secretary General Ronald K. Noble warned "Although there are currently no specific details as to what forms of terror attacks would follow, what is clear is if the Koran burning goes ahead as planned, there will be tragic consequences, ones which may well claim the lives of many innocent people.”

The Christian Security Network [5], a security consulting organization for Christian groups and houses of worship, has also issued a warning to its network of churches.

"Radical extremism on any side is dangerous, especially when you are doing it in the name of religion. We need to pray for the safety of Muslims and their houses of worship," the CSN awareness alert states [6]. "But there have already been documented threats against Christian churches by Muslim extremists and you cannot assume that because this particular incident is taking place in Florida that it will be limited to that geographic area."

Executive Director Jeff Hawkins told Security Management that he fears that an Islamic radical could target any Christian church rather than Pastor Jones' Dove World Outreach Center.

While his awareness alert prayed for peace to prevail, Hawkins says his members "have to prepare for the worst."

The Gainesville Sun, one of Jone's hometown papers, has called on the pastor, like media, governments, and religious organizations worldwide, to stop his Koran-burning ceremony scheduled for Saturday. Using the analogy of chaos theory and the butterfly effect, the Sun gives a simple, yet eloquent plea to Jones and his congregation.

A butterfly has no choice but to flap its wings, whatever the ripple effect and whatever the ensuing chaos. But members of Dove World do have a choice.

In the name of human decency, they can choose to cancel their plan.

In the name of patriotism they can choose not to endanger our troops.

In the name of God they can choose to follow Christ's teachings and love, not hate, their neighbors.

Chaos theory is a series of random acts with unforeseen consequences. Free will is the ability to choose between acts of humanity and chaos.

UPDATE: Pastor Terry Jones has cancelled his Koran-burning event planned for Saturday [7], according to The New York Times.

♦ Photo of Koran by bortescristian/Flickr [8]

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