The Day of Rage is in full swing, and we are certain to see more, now that Friday prayers are wrapping up. From Iran comes this gem: Ayatollah Abdullah Javadi Amoli informs the Pope that without the Qur’an, “American Christianity and the Zionists would not left anything of the divine Christianity and Judaism.” Amoli, of course, is working from some core Muslim assumptions: that Judaism and Christianity as we know them today are corrupted versions of the original messages of Moses and Jesus, and that Moses and Jesus were actually Muslim prophets who taught Islam. Thus only the Qur’an preserves true Christianity and Judaism.
It is noteworthy that he would casually reassert this theological supremacism, which leaves no room for Christians and Jews as anything other than renegades from Islam, over against the Pope’s alleged insult.
“Major cleric condemns Pope’s vilifying claims against Islam,” from the Islamic Republic News Agency, with thanks to Arc:
Qom’s Friday prayers leader, Ayatollah Abdullah Javadi Amoli, condemned recent vilifying and anti-Islamic claims of the world Catholic church leader Pope Benedict XVI.
“Pope should know that had it not been for Islam and its divine book, nothing would have been left of Christianity and Judaism,” said Ayatollah Amoli in his Friday prayers sermons.
Amoli noted that had the brilliant and refreshing Quranic verses on the life of such great prophets as Jesus (AS), Moses (AS) as well as Saint Mary (SA) not been revealed to holy Prophet of Islam Hazrat Mohammad (PBUH), the American Christianity and the Zionists would not left anything of the divine Christianity and Judaism.
Javadi Amoli emphasised that Christianity is not in need of Pope and Bush today, but of an honest leader.
Qom Friday prayers leader called as “double-standards” the stance taken by Pope against Muslims’ protests and said the world Catholic church leader should specify what he meant by “I am sorry.” He further said, “Mr. Pope should make it clear whether he is sorry for his unfounded and baseless claims or why Muslims have not understood his intention?”
The cleric said that regarding Pope’s stance, one should be watchful against enemies of Islam and Christianity that are bent on waging another crusade war.
He invited specialized organizations and communities to conduct research and collect Quranic reasons and justifications on all subjects and put them at the disposal of the religious figures and followers of other divine religions, including Pope, so that they get to know that Islam is the religion of reason and logic.
And supremacism and rage.