One of the latest issues that has been the talk of the town nowadays is the speech delivered by Pope Benedict VII to University of Regensberg last September 15, 2006. The Pope’s speech made reference to a vague medieval text that characterizes some of the teachings of Islam’s founder as “evil” and inhuman”.
With Pope’s remarks on Islam, Muslims from all over the world particularly the Iraqui Group, Mujaheeden Army, Afghanistan, Egypt and Turkey were offended and their anger became extreme. The Muslims should not be blamed for airing their sentiment and abhorrence towards the Pope for most of them are faithful to the teachings of Islam and not all of them have committed acts of malevolence. Also, not all of Islamic followers have taken abeyance of the ideals of Prophet Mohammed. Some Muslims may have sowed fear in some segments of the globe or some may have inflicted terroristic activities, a reason for these is that they are still human with frailties and in endless quest for justice and equality.
Such Muslims with deeds that are not worthwhile and condemnable are just those who have walked astray. There are still Muslim groups and Islamic leaders who continue to be the harbingers of peace and concern to mankind because the teachings of Prophet Mohammed have remained implanted to them.
Although the pontiff endorses the characterization, the Pope must have objected into it considering that not all Muslims are not what is stipulated in the characterization. The Pope can be laudable if, aside from regretting that certain passages of his speech could have sounded insulting to Muslim faithful, he admits his mistake of offensive remarks and apologize by himself, not directing others to make an apology on his behalf.
There is a need for the Pope to remain humble and admit his mistake for the reason that others’ lives maybe in jeopardy particularly those of the Christians. The attacks of five churches in the West Bank and Gaza, the threat of suicide attack to Vatican, the message that threatens to shake thrones and break crosses…these implies the intense hatred of Muslims for what the Pope did. If the Pope continues to be numb of the demands from Muslims faithful to admit his mistake, nations can expect more lambastic and unwanted occurrence which can harm the lives of the innocent and the mankind. Self-sacrifice is needed at this juncture when Muslims clamor for his admission.
The religious leaders must be discreet in the content of their speeches particularly on reference and characterization. Heads of nations and other leaders must learn from this lesson, so that unwanted history like this may not be repeated anymore.
