Muslims Demand that Pope Apologize

PanARMENIAN.Net - Muslim figures did not like some statements, included in theological lecture of Pope Benedict XVI at University of Regensburg, Bavaria. Specifically, when citing a medieval Byzantine source, the Catholic Church leader said, «Considering what new Mohammed brought, we will see only evil and inhumanity, this is his call to spread faith by means of a sword.»



In response to that head of the French Council on Muslim Religion Dalil Bubaker said, «We hope that the Catholic Church will immediately explain its position, recognizing that it does not mix us Islam… and Islamism, which is not a religion, but a political ideology.» In his turn, head of the Turkish Government Committee for Religious Affairs Ali Bardakoghlu called Pope's words full of «hostility and malice.»



Representatives of religious organizations, governmental and public structures of Kuwait, Egypt, Algeria, Morocco and other Muslim countries have also demanded that the Catholic Church leadership apologize and provide explanations.



Head of Vatican Press Office Federico Lombardi responded to this criticism, stating that Benedict XVI respects Islam, but he does not accept violence, motivated by religion. «The Holy Father definitely did not mean to hurt the feelings of Muslim believers,» Lombardi said, reports Lenta.ru.