KABUL (BNO NEWS) — United Nations Special Representative to Afghanistan Staffan de Mistura on Wednesday condemned plans by a U.S. church to burn copies of the Qur’an to commemorate the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 on the United States.

Condemnation from across the United States and from across the world began to trickle in on Wednesday as plans by the Dove World Outreach Center in Florida, a self-professed non-denominational church, received widespread media coverage.

The church told BNO News on Tuesday that it intends to burn around 200 copies of the Qur’an on Saturday, the ninth anniversary of the September 11 attacks. The church has already collected Qur’an to burn, despite the Gainesville Fire Department refusing to give a permit to the church for the bonfire. “We have around 200 [Qur'ans] right now,” a church member said.

On Wednesday, UN Special Representative for Afghanistan Staffan de Mistura called on the church to cancel the burning. “On behalf of the United Nations and the whole international community present in Afghanistan, I would like to express in the strongest possible terms our concern and indeed outrage at the announcement by a small religious group abroad of their intention to burn copies of the holy book of the Qur’an,” he said.

De Mistura said the exercise of the freedom of expression should not be confused with the intention to offend the religion and beliefs of millions of people. “If such an abhorrent act were to be implemented, it would only contribute to fueling the arguments of those who are indeed against peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan,” he continued.

The UN official warned that the burning could also put in jeopardy the efforts of Afghans who are trying to assist Afghanistan to find its own way to peace and stability within the framework of their own culture, traditions and religion. “This is particularly true on the eve of the Eid-ul-Fitr festivities,” he added.

Among other condemnation on Wednesday, the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad called the plans ‘disrespectful, intolerant and divisive.’ “We are deeply concerned about all deliberate attempts to offend members of any religious or ethnic group,” said Charge d’Affaires Stephen Engelken.

Engelken said the United States firmly believes in the freedom of religion and freedom of expression but said the deliberate destruction of any holy book is an abhorrent act.

The message from De Mistura and the U.S. Embassy comes a day after General David Petraeus, who serves as the Commander of NATO forces in Afghanistan, said the burning could be used by extremists in Afghanistan and around the world to “inflame public opinion and incite violence.” On Tuesday, Afghans protested against the planned burning in Kabul.

“I am very concerned by the potential repercussions. Even the rumor that it might take place has sparked demonstrations such as the one that took place in Kabul,” General Petraeus said. “Were the actual burning to take place, the safety of our soldiers and civilians would be put in jeopardy and accomplishment of the mission would be made more difficult. It is precisely the kind of action the Taliban uses and could cause significant problems.”

NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen also criticized the plans, saying that burning Qu’rans violates the alliance’s values. “There is a risk that it may also have a negative impact on security for our troops,” he said.

Philip Crowley, Assistant Secretary for the U.S. State Department, called the proposed burning of the Qu’ran ‘unAmerican’ and considered it to be religious radicalism and hopes the church will change its mind. “The pastor says that he’s contemplating these actions to combat radicalism. In fact, these actions, if they take place - we hope they don’t - will actually feed radicalism,” Crowley said.

Crowley warned the burning could have an at least as powerful impact as the events of Abu Ghraib and the photos which emerged from it, causing outrage around the world. “People around the world need to also understand that America is not represented by one pastor or 50 followers. We are a nation of 300 million people, and the vast majority of Americans are standing up this week and saying that these contemplative actions are inappropriate, they’re abhorrent, and this should not happened.”

Crowley warned that the event has the potential to inflame public opinion around the world in a way that it will jeopardize American lives and American interests. “It does not represent our core values as Americans,” he said. “In fact, it is consistent with the radicals and bigot - with those bigots who attacked us on 9/11.”

Claims that U.S. soldiers have desecrated the Qur’an in Afghanistan and Iraq has caused bloodshed in the past, such as when there were deadly protests in Afghanistan in 2008 when a U.S. soldier shot a copy of the Islam holy book.