Florida Pastor Cancels Quran Burning

Sep 09, 2010 05:34 AM EDT

The Florida preacher who planned to burn Qurans on the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks said Thursday that he is calling off the event.

Terry Jones told reporters that he was assured by the Muslim group behind the proposed Islamic center in New York City that it would move the center to a location other than the one near the World Trade Center site.

"We would consider that a sign from God," Jones told reporters.

Jones remarks follow a plea from President Obama, who said, “I hope he listens to those better angels and understands that this is a destructive act that he's engaging in."

Jones told USA Today he hadn't been contacted by the White House, State Department or Pentagon, but that if such a call came, "That would cause us to definitely think it over."

It was unclear whether the commitment from the group behind Project51 was forthcoming, but some reports said Jones and the leader of the mosque project had spoken earlier Thursday.