Religious leaders react to Gainesville church’s plan to burn Quran

A Gainesville pastor is still planning to burn hundreds of Islam's holy books this Saturday on the Sept. 11 attacks anniversary.

His message has already sparked worldwide protests and a warning from United States military generals that burning Quran could endanger the lives of U.S. troops.

Dozens of local religious leaders came together Wednesday to hold an interfaith prayer service. 

The leaders want to send a message that it does not share the views of Pastor Terry Jones and the Dove World Outreach Center.

Religious leaders from Christian, Jewish and Muslim places of worship came together for the service focusing on unity and remembrance. They read scriptures from all three faiths and tried to counter the hateful message they said Jones is spreading.

"We were concerned about what we were hearing about the burning of the Koran and some of the issues surrounding the World Trade Center. And as religious leaders, we wanted to stand together with our Muslim brothers and sisters and let them know that we love them and care for them and are willing to walk through this with them," said Rev. Louanne Loch with the Holy Trinity Episcopal Church. 

Florida Gov. Charlie Crist issued the following statement Wednesday night.

I strongly agree with General Petraeus and others who warn that burning Qurans as a form of protest on September 11th puts our fighting men and women overseas in grave danger. In addition to being offensive, the Gainesville protest puts at risk those brave Americans who are fighting abroad for the freedoms and values that we believe in as Americans. As Governor of the great state of Florida, I will be monitoring Saturday's situation closely to ensure the safety of all Floridians.