Wednesday, November 01, 2006

TURKEY: CRITICIZING ISLAM THREATENS WORLD PEACE

Ahead of Papal Visit, Turkish Cleric Says Criticizing Islam Threatens World Peace

ANKARA, Turkey — A leading Turkish cleric said Wednesday that criticism of Islam is a serious threat to world peace, speaking ahead of a visit later this month by the pope, who has come under fire for quoting a Medieval emperor's thoughts on Islam and violence.

Religious Affairs Directorate chief Ali Bardakoglu said "it was saddening" to see Islam being criticized while the religion's contribution to civilization is ignored.

"This attitude, which fuels division and lack of mutual trust, is seriously threatening world peace," Bardakoglu told a conference in Istanbul attended by several African Muslim leaders.

Bardakoglu, is expected to meet with
Pope Benedict XVI during his Nov. 28-Dec. 1 visit to Turkey — his first to a predominantly Muslim country as pope.

Benedict has appealed for greater dialogue with Muslims after a speech he gave at a German university in September sparked anger in the Muslim world. The pope quoted a 14th-century Byzantine emperor who characterized some of the Prophet Muhammad's teachings as "evil and inhuman" and called Islam a religion spread by the sword.

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Their brutal co-religionists are never at fault...It is the fault of the infidels for criticizing islam...Gawd, when will we learn?!?

Pertinent Links:

1) Ahead of Papal Visit, Turkish Cleric Says Criticizing Islam Threatens World Peace

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