The quotation of the 14th
Century Pope insulting the Prophet of Islam by the present Pope
the leader of the Roman Catholic is a clear indictment of himself
by himself. The Pope knows better as the leader of a Religious
group he is not talking as a lay man but as a leader not only
political leader but a spiritual one who should show best example
of bringing different faiths together on how they should
understand one another through dialogue rather than fighting each
other. Unfortunately what Pope Benedict has done quoting a
controversial statement of nearly 700 years quoted by one Pope
that the Prophet of Islam brought nothing but evil and inhuman
things shows clearly that how the Christian World harbour grudges
against Islam and Muslims and it shows their ignorance both the
leaders and the followers. Well at least the Pope is not ignorant
neither insensitive to the sensitivity of the Muslims but I can’t
understand why he chose to ignore the sensitivity of the Islam and
the Muslim World. Although he is from Germany he knew what Hitler
caused even though he can be excused as he was ignorant because he
was only a Nationalist not a Religious Leader but the holocaust
was a glaring example of Hitler’s contempt to other Religion which
was not his. Pope Benedict was around when Hitler was in power now
he chose to quote 700 years quotation and the worst of it rather
than the best and yet refused to apologise for this insensitive
remark. What shall we call this is it a deliberate attempt to
distort historical facts or the usual effort to put off the light
of guidance with their own mouth as Allah has said: “Their
intention is to extinguish Allah’s light with their mouths: but
Allah will complete His light even though the rejecters of faith
may detest. So it is beyond our understanding what is the man
trying to achieve by quoting such a remark... If it is peace this
is not the way forward, if it is dialogue is it the way to start
discussing how and when to come together to solve the modern
Worlds problems. Unfortunately the ignorant followers of both
Religions would capitalise on the chosen ranting by the Pope and
yet he refused to apologise may be because he is divine as he is
always addressed the Holiness. Some may interpret this insensitive
remark as another crusade embarked by the West in the name of War
on terror christened at the beginning as crusade by the initiator
of the War but then realised the implication of the word used and
changed it to War on terror. So the Pope’s remarks confirm what
many Muslims regard as unfortunate one sided- campaign of hatred
terrorising innocent people mainly Muslims with the intention to
stop them from practicing the fundamental teachings of Islam since
after the unfortunate September 11 incident which has come to
haunt every one Muslims and Non-Muslims alike. This fear has been
confirmed by the slip of tongue of his Holiness who regards the
Muslims as dwellers of Hell only they would be going to the
Heaven. Well Allah has already told us in the Quran more than 1400
years “And they say: None shall enter paradise unless he is a Jew
or a Christian” The Creator of this human being challenged them in
the same verse: “Those are their vain desires. Say “produce your
proof if you are truthful”. Nay –whoever submits his will
sincerely to Allah and is doer of good will have his reward with
his Lord; on such shall be no fear nor shall they grieve.
So all the good which the Prophet
Muhammad brought to humanity the Pope unfortunately could not see
them as he closed his eyes either deliberately or inadvertently
and refused to see them clearly nay rather he decided to quote
another insulting statement of nearly 700 years rather than
quoting any of the good statement by his predecessor Pope John
Paul who died only two years and had good relationship with the
Muslims. At least if he has forgotten the inquisition and the
crusade many have not forgotten so he should blame his people and
not the Muslims by making derogatory remarks against the person of
the Prophet of Islam. What does it show us? This clearly shows
that Christians are unfortunately brought up to show contempt and
special disrespect to Islam and the entire Muslims due to some
kind of hidden prejudice which they don’t want anybody to know as
they may be exposed.
Although some Christians leaders
including Angela Merkel the German Chancellor tried to diffuse the
controversy by saying that the speech of the Pope was
misunderstood by people who she said was aimed at calling for
dialogue between religions. Well if it is true let the Pope come
out clearly and say so before the thing gets out of hand and no
one knows what dimension it may take. The one who kindles the fire
should put it off before it burns his house and razes the
neighbour’s house and who knows it may burn the whole town or city
or even Country as we can see in Iraq if we don’t control it. It
is a lesson for all leaders to guard their tongues as our Prophet
said “If you believe in Allah and the Last Day you either say
something good or you keep quite”. Whether Pope Benedict
acknowledges or not Prophet Muhammad brought better thing than the
controversy which the Pope brought causing concern for the
mounting criticism which is on the increase rather than fading. So
is up to him to diffuse the situation or inflame it at the time
when relation between the West and Islamic Countries are so
frosty, there is urgent need to look into the situation with a
view to fostering better relation and understand so the two
adherents of the two religions can co-exist peacefully wherever
they live. The pope must not take lightly the spread of outrage
created by his remark and therefore the Vatican should take full
responsibility of the situation as suggested by the Malaysian
Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and oppose sinister
tendencies to associate terrorism with Islam and discriminate
against Muslims as echoed by Pervez Musharraf the Pakistani
President one of the Muslim leaders in the fore front on War on
terror. In the end after so much pressure the Pope has climbed
down and says sorry for the comment he made which infuriated
Muslims as he respects Islam and hopes the Muslims would
understand his comment which shows how serious and delicate the
matter is taken for granted initially at the beginning.
Wa Akhiri Daawana Anil Hamdu Lillahi
Rabbil Alimeen.
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