"America is not and never will be at war with Islam," stated President Barack Obama at the 9th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

He was speaking at a memorial event at the Pentagon and stated that America's greatest weapon is to stay true to her principles of liberty and tolerance.

"It was not a religion that attacked us that September day. It was Al-Qaeda, a cowardly group of individuals that distorts religion," he said.

The memorial at Ground Zero in New York, where 2,975 people died nine years ago, was attended by Vice-President Joe Biden and city mayor Michael Bloomberg.

Bloomberg's speech broke off exactly at 8.46 local time, when on September 11, 2001, the first plane impacted the North Tower of the World Trade Center.

In the most contentious 9/11 commemorations yet, rallies are expected after the official ceremonies pro and contra the planned muslim center at Ground Zero.

This proposal has polarized American society and has provoked statements from extremist pastor Terry Jones, who vowed to burn the Koran - something denounced by senior American leaders and representatives of civil society and religious organizations, including Christian and Jewish ones.

According to information from NBC, Jones has now stated Saturday he will never burn the Koran.

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