International Judge the Koran Day … and the Execution — Burn It
On Sunday, March 20, 2011, Dove World Outreach Center held International Judge the Koran Day. The Koran was formally placed on trial, heard before a jury, found guilty, and executed by fire. Over 30 people attended in person; thousands more watched the live stream online.
The Trial
Pastor Terry Jones presided as judge. The Koran faced the following charges:
- Crimes against humanity
- Promoting terrorist acts
- Death, rape, and torture of people worldwide whose only crime was not being of the Islamic faith
- Crimes against women, minorities, and Christians
- Promoting prejudice and racism
A Christian convert from Islam served as prosecutor. An Imam from Dallas, Texas, served as defense attorney for the Koran. After deliberation, the jury returned its verdict: Guilty on all counts.
The Execution
An online poll had determined the method of execution. The choices were burning, shredding, drowning, or firing squad. The people chose burning.
The kerosene-soaked Koran was placed in a metal tray and ignited with a barbecue lighter by Pastor Wayne Sapp.
Pastor Jones spoke before the execution:
"We do not even burn it with great pleasure, or any pleasure at all. We burn it because we feel a deep obligation to stay with the court system of America. The court system of America does not allow convicted criminals to go free."
“If you are found guilty, if you are convicted of murder, you do not get to go home. It does not matter if we love you, if your mommy loves you, if your daddy loves you — you do not get to go home, because you have killed someone. And because of that you will face punishment.”
Why We Did This
We issued this challenge to the Muslim world months ago. We said: if the Koran is truly peaceful, send us a defense attorney. Come on March 20 and defend it. An Imam came. He presented the defense. The jury heard both sides and decided.
The Koran is not a book of peace. It is a book that commands murder, sanctions rape, endorses slavery, and calls for the subjugation of all non-Muslims. These are not opinions — they are documented in the text itself, confirmed by 1,400 years of history, and testified to by those who have lived under Islamic law.
We acted as Americans. We used our court system. We gave the Koran its day in court. It lost.
— Dove World Outreach Center, Gainesville, Florida