( CNN ) -- The pastor of a Florida church says his congregation has decided to call off the burning of the Quran that was to be held Saturday -- the ninth anniversary of the September 11 , 2001 attack on the United States by the al Qaeda terror network . `` We will definitely not burn the Quran , '' the Rev . Terry Jones told NBC 's `` Today '' on Saturday `` Not today , not ever . '' The burning had been planned for 6 p.m. Jones arrived in New York late Friday night and was working to set up a meeting with the imam in charge of the Islamic center planned near ground zero . The planned meeting , Jones had said , helped persuade him to halt the burning . Earlier Friday , Jones gave mixed messages about whether he intends to carry out his plans , which have sparked international controversy and protests in the Muslim world . U.S. military leaders said the event would imperil the lives of troops abroad . President Obama said Friday that the idea that `` we would burn the sacred texts of someone else 's religion is contrary to what this country stands for . '' He said he hopes Jones `` prays on it '' and refrains from doing it . The government has to send a `` very clear message '' that burning the Quran would endanger U.S. troops and serve as a major recruiting tool for al Qaeda , Obama added . On Saturday , New York Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said police met with Jones and plan to keep a `` close tab on him '' for his own safety . `` His safety could be an issue , and we emphasized that to him last evening . And , he seemed to agree . You know . We would like to make certain that he remains safe while he 's in this city . ''
Jones arrived in New York on Friday night . He wants to meet with imam heading Islamic center plan . The planned Quran burning sparked international condemnations .