A couple of interesting links about the reaction in the Islamic world to the new Pope, courtesy Dr JDJ.
First, from Egypt Election Daily News, "New Hope With New Pope":
Arab World Has Welcomed the Election of New Pope Benedict XVIThe Arab and Muslim world expressed their cautious hopes that he will bridge the divide between the world's different cultures and promote peace like his predecesor. There are hopes that he will bring a closer relationship between Christians & Muslims and fight islamophobia that has been promoted in Europe and America.
Wishes were expressed that he will have a back to basics stance and encourage Christians to 'Love Thy Neighbour' and deter facism and racism among politicians in the West. It is also expected that he will promote peace and justice in the Middle East and for Muslims generally.
And how might Pope Benedict XVI promote peace and justice for Muslims and combat "Islamophobia," that empty word behind which hides justification for all manner of jihadist atrocities? Well, for starters, he could take care of that apology for the Crusades about which Muslim authorities have been getting increasingly vocal. From Turkish Press, "The pope, Muslims, and an apology":
In February, Interfaith Dialogue Committee Chairman Fewzi Zafzaf submitted a written notice demanding that the Vatican apologize to Muslims for the Crusades.Egyptian Islamic writer Mohammed Emara noted how the Vatican has apologized to Jews for its actions during the World War II, and said it should do the same thing now for the Muslims....
Now the Muslims are expecting such an apology to put an end to the crusader mentality, which still finds sustenance in Europe’s subconscious mind.
I hope the new pope will answer the Muslims’ call, because an apology from the Vatican would be the strongest political message for putting an end to the crusader mentality.
In The Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam and the Crusades, my forthcoming book from Regnery Publishing, I demonstrate from the historical record that the "Crusader mentality" was not one of colonial conquest, or forced conversion, or plunder, but the defense of Christendom. Is the idea that the Western world should be defended one that Ferai Tinc, the author of this article, would like to see the new Pope repudiate?
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I think Ratzinger will be just the ticket. From a NY Times article a few days ago:
"Cardinal Ratzinger, 77, the German who headed the department dealing with church doctrine under John Paul II, is one of the most conservative voices in the church... He represents a skeptical faction, one that sees the relationship between Christianity and Islam more in competition.
Last year, he said he personally opposed Turkey's inclusion into the European Union. "Turkey has always represented a different continent, always in contrast with Europe," he said in an interview with the Paris newspaper Le Figaro.
Cardinal Ratzinger has also worried about the moral and religious clarity that Islam has stirred among believers - a clarity he says has been lost in the Christian West.....he calls for Europe to renew its Christian roots "if it truly wants to survive." He has spoken of the use of talking with Muslims but said Christians should not rule out trying to convert them, a sensitive issue in Middle Eastern countries where Christians are a minority. "
Benedict XVI sounds tougher and more realistic on Islam than John Paul II was. I hope he keeps it up!