Why is it that Muslims take offence so easily at anyone making even the slightest criticism of their religion? Are they very insecure about the legitimacy of their beliefs, or something? This week they have been angry at the Pope, who made some comments in a lecture to some theologians in his native Germany. The comments referred to criticism of the Prophet Mohammad by 14th century Byzantine Emperor Manuel II Palaeologus, who said everything Mohammad brought was evil “such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached”.

According to the Vatican, the Pope’s remarks have been misconstrued by those taking offence. The academic speech was meant as a “a clear and radical rejection of the religious motivation for violence, from whatever side it may come,” said Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the Vatican’s Secretary of State.

While the reactions have been modest compared to the beserk responses to the cartoons earlier in the year, among other things:

• Morocco withdrew its Ambassador to the Vatican
• an Egyptian political leader called the Pope’s remarks a mistake which would only be removed by a personal apology
• Turkish PM Tayyip Erdogan called the comments “ugly and offensive” and said they should be withdrawn
• Yemen’s president publicly denounced the Pope
• 5 churches in the West Bank were attacked (this is more like we come to expect)
• Egypt’s foreign ministry summoned the Vatican envoy to Cairo to express “extreme regret” at Benedict’s speech.

No fatwas declared so far ….that we know of!

The Vatican said on Saturday the Pope was sorry Muslims had been offended and that his comments had been misconstrued, but Muslim countries and religious groups remained angry at what they said portrayed Islam as a religion tainted with violence. (Perhaps its the crazy jihadists carrying out barbaric acts in the name of Islam, and the crazed violent responses to being accused of violence that actually give Islam its PR problems?)

This is the comment that really made me laugh:

“How can (the Pope) imply that Muslims are the creators of terrorism in the world while it is the followers of Christianity who have been aggressive against every country of the Islamic world?” prominent Saudi cleric Salman al-Odeh said. “Who attacked Afghanistan and who invaded Iraq?”

Ummm … I’ll grant you the invasion of Iraq was pretty dodgy, but Afghanistan – even the most fanatical Islamist could hardly claim the Taliban were innocent of wrongdoing (harbouring Al Quaeda and its training camps) and did not deserve what they got.

I always thought that religious faith is supposed to bring with it inner calm and things like that. On the evidence we see of the behaviour of many Muslims, it doesn’t seem to be hitting the spot for them.

Update (18/09/2006): More reasoned and non-violent responses from those offended by the linking of Islam and violence.

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