Anger Simmers in Middle East over Pope Comments
The apology of the Pope Monday for comments he made on Islam last week has failed to quell Muslim anger as militants vowed to assassinate the Pontiff.
by Maria Mackay
Posted: Tuesday, September 19, 2006, 10:39 (BST)
Anger continues to simmer in the Middle East as the apology from the Pope Monday for comments he made on Islam failed to bring calm.
Effigies of the Pope have been burnt in Iraq and now a militant group linked to al-Qaeda has vowed to pursue a holy war as it promised to assassinate Pope Benedict XVI.
Security at St Peter's Square remained on high alert after the promise of the militants to "conquer Rome" was made public.
The Mujahidin Shura Council, an umbrella group for Sunni Islamists, said in a statement: "We tell the worshipper of the Cross (the Pope) that you and the West will be defeated . . . May God enable us to slit their throats, and make their money and descendants the bounty of the mujahidin."
Another militant group in Iraq, Ansar al-Sunnah, added: "The day is coming when the armies of Islam will destroy the ramparts of Rome."
Meanwhile, papal nuncios (ambassadors) in Muslim countries have been instructed to reiterate this position to political and religious leaders, The Times reported, as further indication of full-scale efforts by the Vatican to bring the situation to a peaceful conclusion.
Yesterday, the Archbishop of Canterbury stepped in to defend the Pope, saying "There are elements in Islam that can be used to justify violence, just as there are in Christianity and Judaism." He added: "The Pope has issued an apology, and I think his views on this need to be judged against his entire record, where he has spoken very positively about dialogue."
The apology from the Pope has received a mixed response from leaders in the Middle East.
While the supreme leader of Iran, Ali Khamenei, said the comments were "links" in a US-Israeli conspiracy aimed at creating conflict between religions, Jordan praised the Pope for "quickly" expressing his personal regrets over his remarks, which linked Islam and violence.
Jordan added, however, that more steps were necessary to contain Muslim anger.
The Pope is expected to elaborate further on Wednesday about the comments he made last week.
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Added: Tuesday, September 26, 2006, 23:01 (BST)
It is not the right for any Muslim or Christian to say his idea or point of view about other faiths and the beliefs of any religon in the world.
So the pope should not say anything about Islam without saying it precisely, and it is better for everyone to talk on his own religon.
We all pray for one great God. God created us and he knows the truth and who is right. So when we talk about religon so it is better to talk in a clear way to be confident from what we are saying. Finally i want to say to the pope Benedict XVI try to talk about your own religon and what you really know.
murrey hughes, la, usa
Added: Wednesday, September 20, 2006, 13:39 (BST)
" GOD IS LOVE" I'm sure God WOULDN'T do that, (God Loves all of Us)....."slit the pope's throat" is not the way,,,,,,,,,,,anyway, May God Bless All of us (Muslims or Christian).
Ann, kk, sabah
Added: Tuesday, September 19, 2006, 20:53 (BST)
The behaviour of the fundementalist islamic groups is a disgrace to humanity. I am both shocked and appalled at the death threats to the Pope and to Rome. I cannot believe the over-reaction that has come about from Islamic groups worldwide. Where are the official Muslim leaders? Shouldnt't they be clearly condemning these death threats? I am sure if Christian groups were so blatantly threatening Muslim leaders in the world, they would expect the core leaders to stand up against the rising unrest, and make a clear statement of guidance to their followers.
Ben Hart, Bath, UK
