Fla. Pastor Terry Jones: Islam’s Goal Is ‘World Domination’
Speaking Saturday in front of the biggest mosque in Michigan, the Florida pastor known for burning the Quran blasted Islam and called upon Americans to take back their country.
“Islam has one goal: That is world domination,” said Pastor Terry Jones, wearing sunglasses, jeans and a faded black leather jacket. “It’s time to stand up.”
Holding signs in English and Arabic that read “I Will Not Submit,” about 20 supporters cheered as Jones and his assistant spoke outside the Islamic Center of America. Framed by the mosque’s minarets, Jones said he’s concerned that the growth of the Muslim population in metro Detroit and the United States will lead to the oppression of non-Muslims.
“Muslims, no matter they go around the world … they push their agenda on the society,” Jones said. “We must take back America.”
The mosque was placed on lockdown Saturday afternoon with about 30 police cars from Detroit, Dearborn, Wayne County and Michigan surrounding the complex, which also includes several churches.
Traffic in and out was prevented, disappointing some worshippers who were not aware of Jones’ rally and couldn’t access the mosque. During the anti-Muslim rally, an electronic billboard at the Islamic Center read: “Happy Easter.”
Standing about 500 feet from the pastor of Dove World Outreach Center, a 50-member nondenominational evangelical Christian church in Gainesville, Fla., was a group of counter-protesters, some of whom were with an activist organization, By Any Means Necessary. Police prevented them from approaching the grassy area in front of the mosque where Jones spoke.
Muslim leaders had urged people not to attend the counter-protest. Unlike Jones’ previous two visits to Dearborn, this one was uneventful with no arrests and no street clashes.
Jones also said during his talk that he’s concerned about the free speech rights of Americans. In the past year, Jones has battled the City of Dearborn for the right to speak in front of the mosque. Last year, a Dearborn judge briefly threw him in jail and ordered him to stay away from the mosque for three years. A Detroit judge later overturned that decision.
Last month, the city asked Jones to sign a legal agreement before protesting. Jones then filed a lawsuit, prompting a Detroit federal judge to rule Thursday in his favor. Jones was represented for free in his battles with the city by the Ann Arbor, Mich.-based Thomas More Law Center, a conservative Christian group established by Domino’s Pizza founder Tom Monaghan.
During the talk, some of Jones’ supporters made derogatory remarks and jokes about Muslims. When Jones criticized the Rev. Al Sharpton and the Rev. Jesse Jackson during his speech, one supporter blurted out: “Throw ‘em in the pit with the Muslims.”
After the rally, supporters of Jones posed for photos in front of the mosque.