The National Council for Interfaith Dialogue yesterday condemned the alleged burning of a Koran by a US-based pastor and said such actions were against all efforts to bridge the gulf that prevails between different religions.

The condemnation came during a meeting of council representatives in Lahore, during which the US pastor, Terry Jones of Florida, was dismissed as a self-proclaimed pastor who could not be considered the head of a Church or a credible spokesperson for the Christian religion.

The council further stated that such actions run counter to basic Christian teaching, which they said “professes love, tolerance and brotherhood,” according to a press statement issued today.

Terry Jones was reported to have burned copies of the Koran and a portrait of the Prophet Muhammad in protest for the detention of a Christian pastor in Iran.