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September 16, 2006

Expert Says Pope Struck A Cord With Muslims

Topics: Understanding Islam

Despite some harsh reactions, Father Justo Lacunza, until recently rector of the Pontifical Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies of Rome, says that Pope Benedict XVI's words regarding Islam resonated with millions of Muslims worldwide who reject the justification of violence in the name of religion:

"In this the Pope has done no more than take up again the sentiment and desire of millions of Muslims who in one way or another, say: 'Violence and Islam cannot be related,'" Father Lacunza said.

He said that many Muslims say: "We are Muslims and we want to be Muslim believers in today's world and against those who use religion to strike at others with violence. Religion cannot be the foundation of a conflict, a war, or any other kind of violence."

The Muslim world reacted so violently to the words of the Pope, said the priest, for two reasons: "The first is that the Islamic world and Muslims are very sensitive to those who speak of Islam, in particular, when they do not belong to the Muslim faith.

"The second reason is that the Pontiff touched on a very, very delicate point, which is that of violence and war."

We can all only hope and pray that Father Lacunza is right, and that some of those " millions of Muslims who in one way or another, say: 'Violence and Islam cannot be related" start speaking up for themselves against the jihadists. I'm getting tired of all this never-ending outrage due to the "sensitivities" of the millions of Muslims that do not now nor will they ever say that violence and Islam are not related, yet go out and committ violence in the name of their religion.

Perhaps they'll someday recognize that "Religion cannot be the foundation of a conflict, a war, or any other kind of violence."

Cross posted from Freedom's Zone

Posted by Richard at September 16, 2006 8:24 AM

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