Controversy clouds 9/11 ceremony

This Saturday marks nine years since planes hijacked by members of Al Qaeda crashed into the World Trade Centre in New York and the Pentagon in Washington, killing more than 2,700 people.

However, this year's September 11 commemoration comes at a time of heightened tension.

A pastor, whose church has less than 60 members, has stirred controversy with his much publicised plan for a Quran-burning day on September 11.

In addition, the last few months saw several protests against plans to build an Islamic centre in downtown New York two blocks away from the World Trade Centre site.

Al Jazeera's Kristen Saloomey has more from New York.