Despite strong opposition, extremist pastor Terry Jones
still plans to protest in Dearborn later this month.

Founders of a northern Michigan group named Order of the
Dragon, and organizers of the anti-Sharia law protest scheduled for Apr. 22 at
the Islamic Center of America say the event is nothing more than a political
demonstration.

The group, which has no more than five members according to
Fox 2 News, released the following statement by email to The Arab American News.

“This protest was formed by a few concerned citizens
that want to ban ‘foreign law, legal code, or system’ meaning any law, rule,
legal code, or system of jurisdiction outside of any state or territory of the
United States.’ We are protesting global jihad caused by our Middle East
policy, and wish to expose some Israeli/Palestinian lies that we feel need to
be approached…to move forward.”

According to a report from The Detroit News, Jones received
a threat over his plans. Jones says the email was from a Muslim living in the
city who warned (that) anyone attending the event would be in great danger, and
lives would be at stake. Jones said he reported the threat to police in
Gainesville, Florida where he leads the Dove World Outreach Center church.

Earlier this week metro Detroit religious leaders gathered,
speaking out against Jones’ visit.

“We do not agree with Terry Jones. We do not agree with
his philosophy, and we want to continue to keep this region as unified as we
possibly can,” Rev. Charles Williams II of King Solomon Baptist Church
said on local television.

Detroit’s religious leaders have also sent letters to Jones,
urging him to cancel his trip to Dearborn.

“Everything he is doing here is a violation of the
gospel,” said Rev. Ed Rowe of Detroit’s Central United Methodist
Church.  

Imam Steve Elturk, of the Council on American Islamic
Relations Michigan, says the Muslim community would be willing to meet with
Jones if all agreed on peaceful dialogue.

“Too many barriers have been torn down. And so we say
today to all that might hear my voice, we love Muslims, we love Jews. We love
all God-fearing people,” Rev. Charles Williams, Sr. of King Solomon.

Jones still plans on protesting. The 59-year-old who backed
down from burning the Qur’an on September 11 last year  but then later burned a copy in March,
says he realizes there are millions of peaceful Muslims, but said, according to
a report, that he wants them to ‘honor, obey and submit to the Constitution of
the United States.’

Dearborn Police Chief Ronald Haddad says his department has
been in contact with Jones’ office on getting permits for the event and also
said that anyone who comes to the city will be protected in a news report.