Anti-Islam Pastor Plans to Burn 2,998 Korans to Mark 12th Anniversary of 9/11 -- and He Explains It to TheBlaze

Anti-Islam advocate and faith leader Terry Jones is upping the ante on his attacks on the Muslim faith. Rather than burning a Koran to mark the 12th anniversary of 9/11, Jones has another plan: He's going to torch 2,998 copies of the book.

Yes, you read that correctly.

According to a press release put out by the pastor's organization, Stand Up America!, on Sept. 11, 2013, Jones and his followers will "send Islam a very clear warning," as he plans to hold an "International Burning of 2,998 Korans." And in a conversation with TheBlaze, he said he's planning on gathering the books from around the world.

Photo Credit: Facebook/Terry Jones

This number wasn't chosen without reason, as it is the figure Jones gives for the Americans who were killed during the nation's most horrific terror attack.

"The radical hand of Islam shows itself with violence against anyone who dares to stand up and speak the truth. We at Stand Up America will not back down. We will not be silent," the release reads.

It continues, explaining the purpose of the "International Burning" day.

"On September 11th, 2013, to remember those who were murdered by radical Islam, and to send Islam a very clear warning, that they will not get their foothold in the American Constitution as they have done in Europe, we will be holding an International Burning of 2,998 Korans, representing one for each individual who was murdered in the September 11th, 2001 attacks."

Pastor Terry Jones has announced his intentions to run for president. (Photo Credit: AP)

Jones' statement invokes President Abraham Lincoln, using the iconic president's own purported words: "To sin by silence when they should protest makes cowards of men" (although at least one source says this quote didn't actually originate with Lincoln). The release also hits the Obama administration, claiming that it is too appeasing to radical Islam.

With few details about how the event will work, TheBlaze reached out to Jones. On Monday morning, he gave a few additional details. Of particular note, we asked him why Stand Up America is releasing details about the event five months before it's set to unfold -- and he explained.

"For one thing, it's going to take a lot of preparation to get together 2,998 Korans," he said. "We're hoping to gather them from around the states, around the world."

Jones is planning to collect the books and then collectively burn them somewhere in America. In his brief interview with TheBlaze, he mentioned Tampa, Florida as a potential location. Details aside from that were sparse.

TheBlaze will continue to monitor Jones' plans -- a plot that is sure to draw plenty of attention as the date gets closer.