Arab op-ed: Pope's remarks may lead to war

Muslim world newspapers filled with articles slamming pope'’s remarks; '‘it is clear that such remarks only contribute to the fueling of the fire raging between Islam and the West,'’ op-ed published in al-Sharq al-Awsat says I realize that centuries ago, the Roman Catholic Church did some really rotten things, fought wars to gain land, power, and to convert in any manner possible. The name Tomás de Torquemada comes to mind. Look at decimationtion of the Maya, and the destruction of so many "books" that could have taught us much about their culture. All in the name of religion on one hand, and greed on the other.

The most extreme opinion was voiced by Hani Pahas in the London-based Arabic-language daily newspaper Al-Hayat, who wrote "the pope'’s comments may lead to war; we fear that the pope'’s statements may lead to a war that we, Muslims and Christians alike, are trying to prevent through dialogue between East and West.

Is that what they call it? Dialogue?

'“The pope'’s latest statement cannot be considered a slip of the tongue or a comic bit from a TV situation here is different, and his remarks are indicative of an important and highly symbolic stance toward the religion (Islam) and the prophet of about a billion and-a-half Muslims,'” he said. '“These are ignorant comments previously made by Adolf Hitler, who spoke of a supreme white race against all the other races, especially the African race. Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood said a Vatican statement on Saturday saying Pope Benedict was sorry for upsetting Muslims with his comments on Islam did not go far enough.

Reading from a Medieval text is NOT the same as the hateful and horrid comments of Adolph Hitler.

"We want a personal apology (from the Pope). We feel that he has committed a grave error against us and that this mistake will only be removed through a personal apology," Muslim Brotherhood Deputy Leader Mohammed Habib told Reuters.

I want a personal apology from Osama bin Laden. I want him to PERSONALLY apologize to every family member of those slaughtered on 11 September 2001.

"Reason is the substance of Islam and its teachings ... Islam prohibited violence in human life. Anyone who wants the truth (about Islam) must take it from Islam's holy book, the Koran, rather than from a dialogue or excerpts," he said.

Excuse me? Reason? I've yet to see any reason behind the beheadings of Americans, the execution of Iraqi civimassacrethe massacre of innocents... NO reason. And if "Islam prohibited violence", then what the hell have we been seeing all over the world? There's an old saying, "Actions speak louder than words". Well, the actions I've seen tells me this is already a war. One thing I noticed in this opinion piece, only once was "Pope" capitalized, probably by accident.