Muslims Lash Out at Pope’s Remarks

Muslim clerics and leaders have lashed out at criticism from Pope Benedict XVI about Islam and the concept of “jihad.” Some Muslim pundits suggest that the criticism was steeped in arrogance, considering that the Catholic Church sponsored ample bloodshed over the centuries. The Muslim Brotherhood expects an apology, and Pakistan’s parliament passed a resolution condemning the comments. The pope quoted Byzantine Emperor Manuel II Paleologus as saying that the Prophet Mohammed had introduced some “evil and inhuman” concepts, including jihad, and that spreading faith through violence was unreasonable and pointless. That emperor, who died in 1425, was imprisoned for years by the Ottoman Turks, but gained a reputation as a diplomat who maintained relations with both Europeans and the Turks. After his release, he traveled Europe seeking assistance; while sympathetic, European leaders rejected military assistance, deciding to support the Muslims over the Orthodox version of Christianity. The pope, who plans a trip to Turkey in November 2006, insists that he had no intention of offending Islam and hopes to continue dialogue. – YaleGlobal