News: Pope Benedict XVI and Muslims

“...diaologue (such as the pope calls for in his address) should be based on knowledge, and that knowledge will produce a correct understanding, a mutual respect. ”

The world seemed to be in a state of shock at what was entirely predictable. The pope, reverting to form as a European intellectual addressing an academic audience, made some statements that caused an uproar. Some Muslims took a major difference with some of these statements, branded them offensive, and demanded an apology.

Pope Benedict XVI was genuinely surprised at this reaction and while he was quick to express regrets for failing to understand that these remarks would be considered so offensive by so many, nevertheless, the pope refused to apologize for the statements themselves. Both sides remained angry and misunderstood at the time of this writing. Thus, the situation escalates and becomes increasingly dangerous.

Most Westerners consider the Muslim reaction to be excessive and largely unwarranted. Most Muslims consider the words of the pope to be part of the larger attack by Westerners on the usefulness and even validity of the Muslim religion.

Who is right and who is wrong? Perhaps, one or the other. Perhaps, both. In any event, most reasonable people wish it had never happened and would quickly be forgotten. Which is most unlikely.

The most helpful comments on the situation appear to this writer to come from Nihid Awad, Council on American-Islamic Relations, appearing on the Lehrer News Hour, September 18. Mr. Awad claimed that most of the quotations cited by the pope were historically inaccurate. He went on to specify three of them. Mr. Awad’s contention is that diaologue (such as the pope calls for in his address) should be based on knowledge, and that knowledge will produce a correct understanding, a mutual respect.

While Mr. Awad was quick to express agreement with the pope on the need for dialogue, he said the unfortunate truth is that in the West there is a gross misunderatnding of Islam. He finds that inexcusable today when facts are so easily ascertained. That knowledge is indispensable today, and should quickly replace false stereotypes, he insisted.

If Mr. Awad is correct, it seems the entire situation can be resolved in a positive way, if both sides are willing to do so.

Meanwhile, the issue is caused largely by a split within the ranks of Islam. The group labeled by President Bush as the moderate majority is not understood to be the group demanding a more complete apology from the pope. It is the second group, composed largely of the backers of terrorism and of those who reject reason as a medium for better interfaith relations, that is demonstrating in the streets. The outcome of this struggle within Islam will have consequences not only for the present relations between the pope and Islam, but for the broader relationship between Islam and the rest of the world.