VARIOUS: Muslim criticism of Pope spreads and deepens

Criticism of the Pope for apparently anti-Muslim remarks spread throughout the Islamic world on Saturday (September 16) -- some of it coming just before a written Vatican statement said the pontiff was very sorry for any hurt caused. Fire bombs were thrown at two Christian churches in the West Bank. Neither the Anglican nor Greek Orthodox churches in Nablus were badly damaged and no-one was hurt. Senior officials from the Palestinian government, which is led by the Islamic Hamas group, gathered with local leaders at the scene and offered words of condolence. A member of the Palestinian Legislative Council and former Governor of Nablus, Mahmmoud al-Aloul, told Reuters: "What happened last night was a vengeful attack. It is obvious that this attack was a childish attack. It may be light and simple, but we denounce such acts as we denounce the Pope's statement." Most of the 3.8 million Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip identify themselves as Muslim, while up to two percent are Christian. Friction between the communities is rare. A church in the southern Iraqi city of Basra was attacked late on Friday (September 15), again apparently in protest at Pope Benedict VXI's remarks. The Syrian Catholic Church was empty and no-one was hurt. There was little damage apart from knife or axe marks on the door. Iraq's government called for calm on Saturday, saying that any offended Muslims should not take out their anger on the country's small Christian minority. Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan said the pontiff's comments were ugly and he should apologise. Speaking before the Vatican announced on Saturday that the Pope was sorry, Erodgan commented: "The statements are ugly and unfortunate. The Pope needs to take a step back to and should apologise to the Islamic world and Muslims," said Erodgan. Pope Benedict is due to visit Turkey in November. Muslims protested across India on Saturday. The Muslim League in northern Jammu and Kashmir organised a rally in Srinagar and demanded that the Pope retract his remarks. The protestors clashed with police and some were arrested. Demonstrators in Varanasi burned effigies of the pontiff. On the streets of London, some people said the written statement was not enough and as the Pope had spoken before he should speak again, while others thought the written apology would do.

ITN Source | September 17, 2006

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