WASHINGTON, June 5: The current dispute over the alleged desecration of the Holy Quran at the US prison camp in Guantanamo has apparently increased Americans’ interest in the Holy book, says a report. The Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations said some 5,000 people have requested free copies of the Holy Quran since the launch of the group’s “Explore the Quran” campaign on May 17. CAIR’s campaign is designed as a positive response to the recent controversy over desecration of the Holy Quran.

Those who have requested free Qurans include a police officer who works with the Muslim community, Christian religious leaders who wish to explain Islam to their congregations and Americans of all faiths who just wish to learn more about Islam’s revealed text. Calls are coming into CAIR’s Washington, headquarters at the rate of one-per-minute, the group said.

“The overwhelmingly positive response to our ‘Explore the Quran’ campaign reflects a desire by ordinary Americans to better understand Islam and Muslims,” said CAIR Executive Director Nihad Awad. He encouraged Muslims to support the campaign by sponsoring a copy of the Holy Quran.

Mr Awad added that a letter explaining how Muslims are taught to handle the Holy Quran with due respect will be included with each shipment.