Indonesian Muslims protest planned Quran burnings

In Jakarta, Indonesia, thousands of Indonesian Muslims protested outside the U.S. Embassy to decry a plan by The Dove World Outreach Center, in Gainesville, Florida, to burn copies of the Quran on Sept. 11th. The Dove Center is reportedly timing the Koran burnings to commemorate the anniversary of the Sept. 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks.

As well as protesting in Jakarta, Muslims demonstrated in five other Indonesian cities. Some Muslim leaders are hoping the U.S. Government will use its influence to get the center to cease the Quran burnings at the Dove Center. Notably, Indonesia is the world's largest Muslim nation.

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In wake of Sufi shrine killings, Sunni leader calls for end to 'extremism'

In Lahore, Pakistan, seven hours ago today, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani visited the site of a double suicide Thursday at a crowded Sufi shrine. The attack left 43 people dead. While police continue to investigate the killings, Sunni Muslim leader Raghib Naeemi said a major rally was being planned aimed at protesting extremism.

Central Jersey group: 'Stop endless war now'

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The Central Jersey Coalition Against Endless War is an eight-year-old group that has been protesting U.S. involvement in the wars in both Iraq and Afghanistan, respectively. On Saturday, June 12th, a handful of the coalition's 20 active members protested these wars at the intersection of Route 27 and South Adelaide Avenue, in Highland Park, as they have for eight years, according to coalition member Dorothy Schwartz, of Piscataway.

"People in the group come from around the Central Jersey area," Ms. Schwartz said. "I think the thing we all have in common is that we each have faith for the future, in a world without war and where there is peace." After she said that, Ms. Schwartz wondered if that remark was enough to represent the whole group. However, East Brunswick resident and fellow member Jim Fusco assured her "that's perfect."

Coalition members held up their signs to passing cars. Some cars honked in support while other motorists called out hawkish opinions like "Nuke Iran!" Nevertheless, the coalition's members continued to lobby for peace.

The day's group from the coalition included not only Ms. Schwartz and Mr. Fusco, but also: Dr. Sandra Atickes, New Brunswick; Dave Hancock, Roselle; Bernice Rosen, New Brunswick; and Paula Antebi, Highland Park.

The protest concluded after a reading of a some of the newest among the list of dead service members from the wars, read from a Blackberry by Dr. Atickes.

Far from being opposed to the interests of American service members, coalition protesters said the best way possible to support the armed forces is for the United States to depart the region, ensuring an end to military and civilian casualties.

As the group was breaking up for the day, around 1 p.m., Ms. Schwartz announced that the coalition's next meeting would take place in New Brunswick, at the Friends Meeting House, at the intersection of McHale and Nichol, at the Douglas Campus, on June 27th at 5 p.m.    -- Story and Photos by Jim Purcell