Muslim leaders strongly criticized a speech that Pope Benedict gave in Germany as he arrived back in Rome. It is being said that the speech used
unflattering language about Islam and violence. Some of the strongest words came from a cleric who is the head of the Turkish government's
directorate of religious affairs. This alone could jeopardize a scheduled visit to Turkey in November. Turkey was not alone, there also came
criticism from Pakistan, Morocco, and Kuwait, Germany, and France. The Vatican has not responded Criticism of the Pope's speech. More is expected
to be known on Friday as it is the day of prayer.
www.nytimes.com
“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.
Please visit the link provided for the complete story.
First I got to agree with one comment, that it is best for spiritual leaders not to comment on other religions. But what did surprise me was the
statement from the cleric who said "he should first of all replace the grudge in his hears with moral values and respect for the other." So a
cleric just told a 79 year old virgin pope that he needs moral values. With all the secular violence going on in the middle east it would defiantly
seem that statement would be better said to people inside the Muslim faith then the pope of the Catholic church.
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[edit on 3-12-2006 by UM_Gazz]