N E G A S H I - OJ

In a continued attack on the values of Islam and Muslims, three Mosques in different towns in Jimma Zone were attacked, one resulting in the death of four Muslims and wounding 13 critically.

On the evening (time of Iftar) of Tuesday, 26.09.06, Christian “gangsters” who came to celebrate the Mesqel Damera attacked Mosques in Yebu, Haro and Dembi towns, respectively 22 km, 32 km and 100 km from the zone’s capital - Jimma town.

In Dembi (Chalo sub-town) the attackers killed four and wounded seriously 13 Muslims who defended their mosque from being burnt. The wounded were taken and being treated in Jimma University Hospital in Jimma town. During the demonstration held yesterday (27.09.06) Muslims who are very much angered by what happened a day before and with the failure of the authorities to deliver justice to crimins being done on the values of Islam and Muslims in the country, burnt the houses of those who shot and killed/wounded their brothers in faith. Police made some arrests but those criminals who came out with gun are still out there.

In the others two towns - Yebu and Haro - similar gangsters came infront of the Mosques with a pretext to burn “Chibo/Damara” and tried to attack the Mosques. However, the Muslims managed to repel them away. It is to be recalled that in Yebu Christians tried to burn the Mosque in the town. The criminals in this previous attack were released free after they were detained briefly.

With the government’s inability or unwillingness to punish criminals so far, the attack on Muslim values and interests is on the rise both in intensity as well as magnitude. This is pushing the country to a situation that any person of sense need to worry about and do any thing possible to avert it. As for Muslims, the the Christian religious leaders, civil organisation and political leaders need to come out and do some thing as this patience of theirs has limit some where along the course of time and space.

The Pope has finally came forward and bid his apologies for offending Muslims with his “unedited” words. In a speech he delivered at Regensburg University in Germany, he quoted a 14th century emperor to insult Islam and its Messenger, and mis-presented Islam’s true messages particularly the concept of Jihad. Global reactions of Muslims following the Pope’s unfortunate reference to a medieval crusader have finally forced him to bid his personal apologies: “… I am deeply sorry for the reaction in some countries to a few passages in my address at the University of Regensburg, which were considered to the sensibility of Muslims“.

In this time of chaos and mistrust among the various communities and religious groups, the Pope and other religious figures have to be Trojan for peace, understanding and tolerance. Though the Pope’s apologies may not totally heal the wounds he caused and undue the pains he incurred, they have to be seen nonetheless as a positive development.

Below is a BBC report on the Pope’s apologies followed by his full text:

• Read more: Pope sorry for offending Muslims

Pope Benedict the 16th’s, the top figure in the Roman Catholic Church, remarks about Islam are nothing but what the title says. It is often ignorance of the basic tents of Islam which would lead one to such unwarranted remarks of the Pope, very much unfitting to his position. He should be a role model in fostering peace, understanding and tolerance between people and religions. It is however insufficient to say that he don’t know Islam as a religion of peace, understanding and tolerance. It is only hatred to this religion of peace (its very name signifies that - Islam = Selam = Peace) that could lead the POPE to eject his venom.

We read that the Pope stressed that the wordings were not his own. What difference would it make whether he quoted another one or he himself composed them? Would Muslims feel better by that? What would be his intention and what he has for the World about Islam that he chooses to quote them at this time? When would the Roman Catholic Church come clean from its prejudice about Islam and Muslims? When would reality govern this religious institution and hatred pave a way for reason?

Read more on:

• The Pope’s Speech - PDF file
• Pope Criticised over Islam remarks - Aljazeera.net
• Pope urged to retract Islam remarks - Aljazeera.net
• Muslim Anger Grows at Pope Speech - BBC
• Muslims Fume at Pope’s Islam Jibe  - Islamonline.net
• Jihad - its true Meaning and Purpose - Islamonline.com

Muslim reaction to Pope - from BBC.com

Political and religious leaders in Muslim parts of the world have been reacting to a speech by Pope Benedict XVI in which he mentioned the Prophet Muhammad.    

PAKISTANI PARLIAMENT

The derogatory remarks of the Pope about the philosophy of jihad and Prophet Muhammad have injured sentiments across the Muslim world and pose the danger of spreading acrimony among the religions.

HAMID ANSARI, CHAIRMAN OF INDIA’S MINORITY COMMISSION

The language used by the Pope sounds like that of his 12th-Century counterpart who ordered the crusades… It surprises me because the Vatican has a very comprehensive relationship with the Muslim world”.

DIN SYAMSUDDIN, HEAD OF MUHAMMAD, INDONESIA’S SECOND LARGEST MUSLIM ORGANISATION

The Pope’s statements reflect his lack of wisdom. It is obvious from the statements that the Pope doesn’t have a correct understanding of Islam.

MOHAMMED MAHDA AKEF, EGYPTIAN MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD

The remarks do not express correct understanding of Islam and are merely wrong and distorted beliefs being repeated in the West.

SHEIKH YOUSSEF AL-QARDAWI, QATARI MUSLIM CLERIC

Muslims have the right to be angry and hurt by these comments from the highest cleric in Christianity.

We ask the Pope to apologise to the Muslim nation for insulting its religion, its Prophet and its beliefs.

ALI BARDAKOGLU, SENIOR TURKISH MUSLIM

I do not see any use in somebody visiting the Islamic world who thinks in this way about the holy prophet of Islam. He should first rid himself of feelings of hate.

ORGANISATION OF ISLAMIC CONFERENCE STATEMENT

The OIC hopes that this sudden campaign does not reflect a new trend for the Vatican policy toward the Islamic religion … and it expects the Vatican to express its real vision of Islam.

DR MUHAMMAD ABDUL BARI, MUSLIM COUNCIL OF BRITAIN

One would expect a religious leader such as the Pope to act and speak with responsibility and repudiate the Byzantine emperor’s views in the interests of truth and harmonious relations. Regrettably, the Pope did not do so and this has understandably caused a lot of dismay and hurt.