Florida pastor, Toronto imam debate outside Queen's Park
1BY JENNY YUEN ,TORONTO SUN
The controversial Pastor Terry Jones
TORONTO - Get ready for a royal rumble between imam and pastor.
Queen’s Park officials granted a permit Friday for an event where Qur’an-burning Florida pastor Terry Jones and Toronto imam Steve Rockwell will face off on the front lawn of the legislature next week.
“What we’re bringing in under the headline of free speech is Pastor Terry Jones, who will be coming up on (Oct.) 11 to talk about the Innocence of Muslims movie and whether it’s appropriate enough to be shown,” said Allan Einstoss, who applied for the permit at Queen’s Park. “We also have people champing at the bit from the Muslim community who would like to debate or speak in rebuttal to Pastor Jones. It’s a fantastic night for free speech.”
The controversial event organized by For Love of Charter and Canadians United Against Terror is set for Thursday at 6:30 p.m. and Einstoss promises it will be the first of many events and he anticipates thousands to attend.
More details about how the debate will unfold will be made available in the coming days, he said.
Many may remember Einstoss as the man arrested at an August Al-Quds rally at Queen’s Park for bringing his dog — a mastiff by the name of Cupcake. Police suggested his presence might “incite” because some Muslims believe dogs as unclean.
Many may remember Einstoss as the man arrested at an August Al-Quds rally at Queen’s Park for bringing his dog — a mastiff by the name of Cupcake. Police suggested his presence might “incite” because some Muslims believe dogs as unclean.
Frustrated by a lack of freedom of speech, he took it upon himself to apply for a permit on behalf of the organizing groups.
“Democracy is a delicate balance and it can be an ugly thing at times,” Einstoss said. “Now that we’ve got the location secured, it’s going to heat up and it’s going to heat up very fast.”
While Imam Rockwell could not be reached by phone on Friday, Pastor Jones, for his part, promises there won’t be any book-burning during his appearance.
“We’re not doing any Qur’an burning or anything like that,” he said from a Gainesville, Fla. residence. “But it will still be controversial.”
He said he will, however, be speaking about whether Islam is compatible with Western society and the radicalism of Islam.
Einstoss also mentioned Toronto Police contacted Jones’ assistants, requesting specific information — will the pastor have a security entourage, will Jones have a copy of the movie and will there be a screening of the movie?
“It’s not the business of the Toronto Police Service to find out whether or not someone is bringing something into Canada. It’s the job of Canada Border Services Agency,” said Einstoss. “Of all of the offensive books and movies with the opposite views of Pastor Jones — supporting radical Islam — I don’t think Toronto Police has ever called anyone and asked them about what they’re bringing into Canada.”
Const. Wendy Drummond said Toronto Police are aware of Jones' planned visit.
"Whether or not he gains entry is a decision for the Canadian Border Services," Drummond said. "Pastor Jones will be informed of Canada's hate crimes laws and we'll investigate any complaints that may arise from this visit, otherwise, there are no specific arrangements for his visit."
Jones said he’s not surprised by the heightened security worry.
“We have 400-500 death threats and $6.4 million bounty on our lives, so I understand there is a higher alert and there should be,” he said. “We’re going to be obeying and submitting to the law.”
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