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Pope?s remark: Muslims stage dharna
RESENTMENT IS brewing among the members of Muslim community on the statement issued by Pope Benedict XVI on Islam and they staged a demonstration at Yateem Khana crossing on Saturday.
RESENTMENT IS brewing among the members of Muslim community on the statement issued by Pope Benedict XVI on Islam and they staged a demonstration at Yateem Khana crossing on Saturday.
On the other-hand, former national president of All-India Catholic Union Allan De Noronha apologised to Muslims for being hurt by the statement of Pope Benedict.
Members of the Muslim community gave vent to their ire against the statement by staging a sit-in at Yateem Khana crossing. Later addressing the gathering, prominent Muslim leaders decried the Pope’s statements.
Expressing concern over the statement, the agitators also stated that they foresaw a conspiracy behind the statement and the role of US president George Bush in the controversy could not be ruled out.
Later the agitators handed over a memorandum to a representative of the district administration requesting the Indian government to snap all diplomatic ties with the Vatican.
Noronha, popularly known as chhotebhai, apologised the members of Muslim community for being hurt by the Pope’s statements. At present, Noronha is the president of Kanpur Catholic Association.
In a statement issued here on Saturday, Noronha said the Catholic church was in no way anti-Islamic. Pope Benedict’s statement quoting the 14th century emperor was indiscreet and uncalled for.
Quoting the promulgation by the Pope Paul VI through a document titled as “Declaration on the relationship of the Church to non-Christian religions,” he said that the Catholics always held Islam in high regard and cherished common bonds through Abraham, Jesus and Marry. It also extolled the virtues of Islam like submission to God’s will, prayer, fasting and alms giving.
Noronha added that the church also addresses the issues of past conflicts and clearly stated that it was a story of bygone era.
Another prominent Christian personality of the city Savie D’ Silva stated that the growing differences between religions all over the world must be resolved amicably.
