Muslim Leaders Assail Pope’s Speech on Islam

NY Times ^ | September 14, 2006 | IAN FISHER

[neverdem]

ROME, Sept. 14 — As Pope Benedict XVI arrived back home from Germany, Muslim leaders strongly criticized a speech he gave on his trip that used unflattering language about Islam and violence.

Some of the strongest words came from Turkey, possibly putting in jeopardy Benedict’s scheduled visit there in November.

“I do not think any good will come from the visit to the Muslim world of a person who has such ideas about Islam’s prophet,” Ali Bardakoglu, a cleric who is head of the Turkish government’s directorate of religious affairs, said in a television interview there. “He should first of all replace the grudge in his heart with moral values and respect for the other.”

Muslim leaders in Pakistan, Morocco and Kuwait, in addition to those in Germany and France, also criticized the pope’s remarks, with many demanding an apology or clarification. The extent of any anger about the speech may become clearer on Friday, the Muslim day of prayer in which grievances are often vented publicly.

The Vatican did not respond today, as the pope returned from his six-day trip to his homeland, Germany, to the criticism of his speech. On Tuesday, Benedict delivered a major address — which some church experts say was a defining speech of his pontificate — saying that the West, and specifically Europe, had become so beholden to reason that it had closed God out of public life, science and academia.

But the pope began this speech at Regensburg University with what he conceded were “brusque” words about Islam: He quoted a 14th Century Byzantine emperor as saying, “Show me just what Muhammad 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.”

Benedict also used the...

[Rummyfan]

Some of the strongest words came from Turkey, possibly putting in jeopardy Benedict’s scheduled visit there in November.

Uh oh. Hope no PO'ed Turk tries to assasinate the Pope. Ooops - that already happened!

Sometimes, doncha just get sick of the muzzies and all their whining???

[Deo volente]

“He should first of all replace the grudge in his heart with moral values and respect for the other.”

Well, I can't speak for the Pope, but I know that I'll replace the grudge in my heart with respect for Moslems when they stop desiring to cut my head off or blow me up for refusing to convert to their religion!

[stm]

By not capitalizing Pope, it is their not-so-subtle way of minimizing him. I also find it disrespectful by just calling him "Benedict".

[WV Mountain Mama]

“He should first of all replace the grudge in his heart with moral values and respect for the other.”

...and if he doesn't we will capture infidel devils and cut their heads off to prove our religion is peaceful.

[xxyyxx]

The Turks murdered a couple of million Armenians and no one seemed to raise too much hell about it so I guess you are right...they are not used to criticism.

[redgolum]

I think BXVI knows that this is the major enemy we have to face now.

[Gordongekko909]

Yeah Benny!

[stm]

One big difference Pope JPII met with his would be assassin in jail and forgave him. Mohammed would have beheaded him in front of all to see. That is the difference between Christianity and Islame

[Gordongekko909]

Mohammad, Stalin, and Hitler were Satin in human form.

Indeed. Bedsheets and blouses were made out of all three.

[WV Mountain Mama]

*snicker*

[Southside_Chicago_Republican]

Considering the moral disaster that the Muslim world is, this kind of sanctimoniousness is really hard to stomach.

If the Pope goes, he no doubt will go on his own terms. If he doesn't go, likewise; plus, he has good scriptural grounds for standing his ground regarding the Muslims;

"What concord hath Christ with Belial?"

[Ueriah]

Prayers for His Holiness.

And if anything happens to him, all bets are off.

[groovejedi]

I can't even hardely bring myself to read these idiotic comments anymore.....meaning from these muslim morons. They are obviously hypocrites and will NEVER see that fact, so I'm joining the nuke em all club....

[mkjessup]

Let's see now, in the past 12 months, how many Muslims have been beheaded with rusty knives by radical Christian terrorists?

Ummmm, 'NONE' seems to apply.

OK, how many Muslims were kidnapped by Christian terrorists, threatened with death, and then forced to convert to Christianity at the point of a gun?

Hmmm, looks like 'NONE' again.

How many newspapers, radio and/or TV stations have been burned, ransacked and trashed by Christian terrorists after an offensive image of Jesus Christ was published or broadcast?

Yeah, you guess it: 'NONE' once more.

So let's see if Muslims can live UP to Christian standards of behavior now with my itty bitty provocation here:

[XR7]

The Truth

“I do not think any good will come from the visit to the Muslim world of a person who has such ideas about Islam’s >false< prophet,” Ali Bardakoglu, a cleric who is head of the Turkish government’s directorate of religious affairs, said in a television interview there.

[Lowell]

DO YOU THINK ISLAM WILL PUT A CONTRACT 'HIT' ON THE POPE?

[hardworking]

It's called a spine, something noticeably lacking in the Religion of Pieces.

And noticeably lacking in ALL the leaders of the Western world.

[XR7]

The Muslim clerics blaspheme the name of God all day long by claiming Jesus Christ did not rise from the dead and that he is an inferior prophet to their murderous founder. But you don't hear the MSM hollering for the Muslim clerics to be more "sensitive" and "tolerant."

[Suzy Quzy]

Makes me love the Pope evn more!!

[beethovenfan]

Do Muslims celebrate Festivus? "First, the airing of
grievances."