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The Pope’s Speech: Gasoline on the Fire

 

September15, 2006

Pope's Speech -- Gary Lane

Islamic leaders throughout the Middle East are demanding that Pope Benedict apologize for remarks he made this week about Muslims and their prophet Mohammed.

Could this fuel another violent response like the Danish cartoon controversy earlier this year? Friday’s reaction could give us a prelude of what may come after the Islamic holy month of Ramadan begins September 24th.

In Egypt, protestors at Cairo’s Al Azhar Mosque demanded that all Vatican ambassadors be expelled from Arab and Islamic countries and said the pope should be prevented from visiting the same until he apologizes. One speaker in the crowd said, “If Muslims had been united, no one would have dared to speak this way.”

Pope Benedict’s remarks came during a speech Thursday in Bavaria. He quoted from a conversation between 14th century Byzantine Christian Emperor Manuel Aleologos II and an educated Persian on the truths of Christianity and Islam.

"The emperor comes to speak about the issue of jihad, holy war," the Pope said. "He said, I quote, 'Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached'."

In Lebanon, Mohammed Hussein Fadlallah, spiritual leader of the Shiites and Hezbollah said the pope needs a clear and better understanding of Islam.

“We don't need for these statements to serve the media and enemies of Islam, which are led by Judaism and Imperialism.

In a veiled warning, Fadlallah said Pope Benedict needs to apologize for citing the words of an emperor who “insulted the prophet Mohammed” because “we don't need to ignite a problem.”

In Turkey, the deputy head of the Republican People’s Party reportedly said, “The pope has thrown gasoline onto the fire.”

Will the pope’s remarks ignite a raging fire that may spread throughout the Islamic world?

Keep on eye on Islamic nations like Egypt (the center of radical Islamic thought), Pakistan (the birthplace of the Taliban) and Indonesia (1999-2001 jihad claimed at least 8,000 Christian lives). Militant Islamic leaders often stir up their fasting, prayerful followers at Friday prayers during Ramadan. The crazed, radical mobs have been known to exit their mosques and attack Christians and their churches. This happened one year ago during Ramadan in Alexandria, Egypt.

A Foreign Ministry spokesman in Pakistan said, “Anyone who describes Islam as an intolerant religion encourages violence.”

Let’s pray this time Islamic leaders throughout the Islamic world urge restraint and teach their followers to demonstrate a bit of tolerance for speech they may find offensive.


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