Oscar-winning actress and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie is in Pakistan to draw attention to the flood-ravaged nation, and had some sharp words for a Florida church planning to burn copies of the Quran to mark the ninth anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks in New York City.
"I have hardly the words that somebody would do that to somebody's religious book," Jolie told reporters in Islamabad after visiting refugee camps in the northwestern part of the country, according to the Associated Press. Ten million people are presently without shelter and more than 1,700 people have died in the six weeks since torrential monsoon rains ravaged the largely Muslim country.
The book burning is being organized by Pastor Terry Jones of the Dove World Outreach Center, a small, anti-Islam, evangelical Christian church in Gainesville, Florida. Jones has said repeatedly that he and his congregation intend to move forward with their plans despite warnings from U.S. government officials, who have called the Quran burning a "disgraceful act" that could endanger U.S. troops in the Middle East and around the world.
The church's planned Quran burning has ignited outrage in the Muslim world, but has received little attention in Pakistan, where raging floodwaters remain a pressing concern.
"The floods here in Pakistan have affected almost 21 million people -- it is one of the biggest humanitarian crises the world has seen," said Valerie Amos, UN humanitarian chief.
"I was shocked especially by how high the flood waters went," Jolie told reporters. "In some of the people's houses, it was nine feet high."
The U.N. hopes Jolie's visit will bring attention and subsequent funds to the country. Only $294 million of the $460 million in emergency funds requested by the UN has been received so far, despite what Maurizio Giuliano, spokesman for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, calls "one of the worst humanitarian disasters in UN history, in terms of number of people that we have to assist and also the area covered."
"There's lots of speculation about why this one has not gotten the attention it deserves," Jolie said. "Even all of the wonderful coverage ... is not getting the response that usually it's able to get."
Because of her commitments to the UN and her desire to push forward with her directorial debut, an as-yet-untitled love story set during the conflict in Bosnia in the 1990s, Jolie recently dropped out of the hotly anticipated Alfonso Cuaron ('Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban,' 'Children of Men') film 'Gravity,' which would have put the 'Salt' actress onscreen with Robert Downey Jr. in a 3D action pic about a mother desperate to return home to her child after her team members on a remote space station are killed by debris from an exploding satellite, according to Deadline.
I'm can't believe that I agree with Jolie about the book burning. But, I am wondering, why don't her and Pitt sell their other homes so they can provide aid to the flood victims?
Why is it that movie stars and their opinions are always newsworthy,is this the way it is in the USA.I for one am so sick of her and pitt...can,t they just go away.
"I have hardly the words that somebody would do that to somebody's religious book," ...... was that a direct quote? That's not even proper english. Instead of buying another mansion, she should have invested in "Hooked on Phonics".
charity starts at home so why is that all her adopted kids are from other countries? why isit okay for them to burn our flag kill our people but we cant burn their kuran? why are all these celebs giving money and time to other countries instead of helping people here in the us who need it,we need to start letting these other countries government take care of their own people most would rather kill us as look at us but have no problem taking our money then laughing at us enough with the "babysitting" its been going on for to long!
Burn the koran as well as all the other so called holy books including the Bible and the Torah. They should be placed in the catergory of Mythologhy where they belong just like the greek and roman gods Jesus muhammed and all the rest of the phony holy men which r nothing but man made fairy tales. Religion played its roll and maybe still should for the kids but adults should out grow such non sense when you realize Jack and the Bean stalk is just a story and there are no majic beans stop trying to push it as something real. If Jesus raised from the dead where the hell is he. If muhammed flew to heaven on horse hop back on and ride back. Grow up people and stop pushing these fairy tales in to the brains of your children that is the only way to stop breeding this hate. Use the koran and the bible as fire starter light your grills with them they are about as holy as Websters Dictionary. Grow up children!
WHAT A SCUZZY BEOTCH. She reminds me of Jane Fonda and her stupid, anti-American stunt in North Viet Nam. Having her picture taken with the people that killed her own coutrymen. And this Angelina, she can go to hell. She`s no American. I never thought she was a good actress anyway, but for sure, I will never spend my money on any of her movies. Brad`s either. They think they`re some kind of royalty or something . Maybe they should move there since she obviously thinks she looks good in that sheet. F@!K BOTH OF THEM!!!!!!
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I'm can't believe that I agree with Jolie about the book burning.
But, I am wondering, why don't her and Pitt sell their other homes so they can provide aid to the flood victims?
Reply
Why is it that movie stars and their opinions are always newsworthy,is this the way it is in the USA.I for one am so sick of her and pitt...can,t they just go away.
Reply
"I have hardly the words that somebody would do that to somebody's religious book," ...... was that a direct quote? That's not even proper english. Instead of buying another mansion, she should have invested in "Hooked on Phonics".
Reply
charity starts at home so why is that all her adopted kids are from other countries? why isit okay for them to burn our flag kill our people but we cant burn their kuran? why are all these celebs giving money and time to other countries instead of helping people here in the us who need it,we need to start letting these other countries government take care of their own people most would rather kill us as look at us but have no problem taking our money then laughing at us enough with the "babysitting" its been going on for to long!
Reply
Burn the koran as well as all the other so called holy books including the Bible and the Torah. They should be placed in the catergory of Mythologhy where they belong just like the greek and roman gods Jesus muhammed and all the rest of the phony holy men which r nothing but man made fairy tales. Religion played its roll and maybe still should for the kids but adults should out grow such non sense when you realize Jack and the Bean stalk is just a story and there are no majic beans stop trying to push it as something real. If Jesus raised from the dead where the hell is he. If muhammed flew to heaven on horse hop back on and ride back. Grow up people and stop pushing these fairy tales in to the brains of your children that is the only way to stop breeding this hate. Use the koran and the bible as fire starter light your grills with them they are about as holy as Websters Dictionary. Grow up children!
Reply
Sadly, if I were to burn my Holy Bible, nothing would be said. Probably be supported.
Reply
How many have burned the American flag and yet it does not receive 1/10 of the attention this does? This is America so I say to this burn baby burn :)
Reply
WHAT A SCUZZY BEOTCH. She reminds me of Jane Fonda and her stupid, anti-American stunt in North Viet Nam. Having her picture taken with the people that killed her own coutrymen. And this Angelina, she can go to hell. She`s no American. I never thought she was a good actress anyway, but for sure, I will never spend my money on any of her movies. Brad`s either. They think they`re some kind of royalty or something . Maybe they should move there since she obviously thinks she looks good in that sheet. F@!K BOTH OF THEM!!!!!!
Reply