MUSLIM CLERICS in the city welcomed the apology tendered by Pope Benedict XVI for the comments he made against the Prophet of Islam in a speech at a university in Germany recently.
“It’s a welcome step. We appreciate that the Pope has realised the hurt his remarks had caused to the religious sentiments of the Muslims and could have had an adverse impact on their relations with the Christians,” said Naib Imam of Eidgah Maulana Khalid Rashid Farangi Mahali. “In fact, this was precisely our demand. We had asked the Pope to clarify or apologise for comments made against the Prophet of Islam,” said Maulana Rashid.
Calling for cessation of all demonstrations and agitations by members of the minority community in this connection, the cleric said religious leaders should exercise restraint in commenting on matters related to others’ faith and religion.
“The move would foster better relations between Muslims and Christians all over the world,” he said. On the other hand, Shia cleric Maulana Kalbe Jawad, who had led a demonstration in the city after Friday prayers on the issue, was more cautious in his response. “I have heard that the Pope has apologised. Since the issue is very sensitive and of great significance to the community, I would not comment on the matter unless I see the complete text of the statement issued by the Pope,” said Maulana Jawad.