POPE BENEDICT’S ATTACK ON ISLAM IS UNJUSTIFIED AND WILL GIVE AMMUNITION TO BIGOTS

Published: 14/09/2006 22:00

Pope Benedict’s attack on Islam and its concept of holy war which was made during a visit to his German homeland has created division amongst Catholics and Muslims.

If the Pope wanted to attack Islam and Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) teachings he could have been brave enough to say it personally without quoting a 14^th century Byzantine Christian emperor.

The late Pope John Paul II spent over 25 years to build bridges and links with the Muslim community, he showed the world that its perception of Islam was false and that we are peace loving people.  The Ramadhan Foundation is disappointed that the current Pope has not followed the example of his predecessor; it is essential in today’s world that we link together and encourage a wider understanding of our different faiths, celebrating our religious differences is essential in a ever expanding world.

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was a mercy to mankind and taught the world tolerance and peace.  It is time that the Pope studied the life of the Holy Prophet (pbuh) before allowing his prejudices against Islam to appear in the public arena.  We would never hurt the feelings of Roman Catholics by attacking the Pope in such a way and we expect respect in return.  Has he not read the history of human right violations, murder, rape, slavery and support for the Nazis under the Roman Catholic Church or is this something he fails to remember.

Mr. Muhammad Umar, Chairman of the Foundation comments:

“This attack on Islam and Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) by Pope Benedict is recognition that he has fallen into the trap of the bigots and racists when it comes to judging Islam on the actions of a small number of extreme elements.  He is wrong in his analysis and I encourage him to study history through the mind of independence not through pre conceived prejudices.

Today the time is to build bridges between our great faiths not create further divisions based on the Neo Conservatives attempt to wipe Islam and Muslims off the face of the earth, to recreate a Islam that meets the objectives of the bigots.  We will defend the honour of our Holy Prophet (PBUH) no matter what.

Even today we are prepared to create networks of understanding with the Catholic Church but they must be in no elusion we will never allow Islam to be modified to suit the needs of those who have no respect and tolerance of Islam””