America's enemy is al-Qaida, not Islam: Obama

WASHINGTON: President Barack Obama is appealing for religious tolerance, reminding Americans that the ``overwhelming majority'' of Muslims around the world are peace-loving people.

They include millions of ``our fellow citizens in this country'' who are our friends, neighbors and co-workers and attend school with our kids, Obama said.

Obama asked what it would say ``when we start acting as if their religion is somehow offensive.''

He said it's important to be clear on who the enemy is, al-Qaida and extremists, not Islam or the majority of Muslims.

Obama's comments at a White House news conference came as a Florida pastor threatened to burn Qurans on Saturday, the anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks. Debate is also raging about an Islamic center in New York..