ASHLAND — Pete Seda and his former Al-Haramain Islamic Foundation passed out copies of what the federal government considers to be a radical version of the Quran that includes a call to jihad, or holy war, against those who do not believe in Islam.

The book, called "The Noble Quran," includes a chapter, called "Appendix 3," that tells readers to "race to jihad" and to include weapons such as missiles, planes and ships against the enemies of Allah.

Tom Nelson, the Portland attorney licensed as the Al-Haramain agent here, acknowledged the appendix’s presence Saturday, saying that he believes government misinterprets it and uses it to paint the group as terrorists.

"That’s the one that’s driving people nuts," Nelson said.

Nelson said he believes Seda and Soliman Al-Buthe, his Saudi Arabian partner in Al-Haramain, chose the version because it was a good translation of the Quran and not because of the addition of the appendix.

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Nelson, who is Al-Buthe’s lawyer, said the pair did not stress reading or applying the messages from "Appendix 3."

This version of the Quran was printed before the Sept. 11 attacks, when jihad did not have the same holy war connotations as today, Nelson said.

"I can see how Americans can be upset about it after 9/11," Nelson said. "I don’t think they would have pre-9/11."

Despite the appendix’s many references to violence and war, Nelson prefers to consider jihad as a "struggle" and that Islam teaches that "death is better than oppression."

"A call to jihad means (something) completely different to a Westerner than an Easterner," said Nelson, who is a practicing Muslim.

"There are all kinds of jihads," he said. "It can be a violent struggle. It can be a non-violent struggle."

Nelson said parts of the appendix are "somebody’s opinion of what the Quran said," though it has become a focal point for making Muslims "appear as disparaging individuals," Nelson said.

"Frankly, I think everybody wishes ‘Appendix 3’ was never written," Nelson said.

"I wish it hadn’t happened," he said. "I wish it wasn’t there. But it is."