Pope’s comments don’t warrant another jihad

In an address at the University of Regensburg on September 12, Pope Benedict XVI quoted the 14th-century Byzantine emperor Manuel II Paleologus. As CNN quoted Pope Benedict XVI online on September 12th, “The emperor comes to speak about the issue jihad, holy war. He said, I quote, ‘Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith that he preached.’” In this address the Pope took no explicit stance as to his opinion of the matter, and has yet to explicitly apologize for his statements. He has only said that he expresses “deep respect” for Islam.

In the following days, the Muslim community exploded with anger. Numerous Islamic leaders came out denouncing the Pope and demanding apologies. Then, Muslim anger was shown through demonstrations across the world, which included threatening signs and the burning of effigies of the Pope.

Next, an al-Qaeda-linked militant group vowed to wage war against “worshippers of the cross”. The Mujahideen Shura Council, according to Reuters also stated that they will “break the cross and spill the wine… God will (help) Muslims to conquer Rome.” In other violence-related talk, Anjem Choudary, a Muslim extremist leader, told a demonstration in London that the Pope should face execution, and those that insult Islam should be “subject to capital punishment.”

Along the lines of more violence, a nun in Mogadishu was murdered following the Pope’s remarks. A high-level Islamist source told Reuters that the attack may well be linked to the recent statements made by Pope Benedict. Italy has also seen the need to increase security nationwide to protect Roman Catholic sites from acts of terrorism.

These events are perfect representations of extremist Islam. They do not seek coexistence with non-Muslims, nor do they seek equality with us. What they seek is one of two things: submission to Islam (Choudary has called for Britain to become an Islamic state), or the eradication of anyone that disagrees with the teachings of Muhammed. The West should not, and cannot, give in to these radical factions of Islam, and the moderate groups of Islam must denounce the radicals. Since 9/11, we have been told that Islam is a religion of peace, and that the people that commit these atrocities are factions that distort the true message of Islam. Well, everyday something new comes out that portrays Islam in a negative light, be it threatening video tapes, more death in the Middle East, or now calls for the Pope’s assassination, yet no one does anything serious about it. If the moderate and peaceful groups of Islam wish not to be associated with the radicals, they must make themselves known.

Was the Pope in error for quoting Manuel II Paleologus? Who knows. He was giving an address at the University of Regensburg, and said that spreading a faith by violence is not consistent with God. He may have been giving Islam a little jab, saying that violence is not the answer and must be denounced (as he has a history of doing so), but this in no way grounds for mass demonstrations and death threats. If the Muslim community is indeed peaceful, but upset over the Pope’s remarks, then they should show it in a peaceful manner, and leave out the burning effigies and threatening signs.

As long as Islam desires to be known as the “religion of peace,” then they should attempt to keep peace in their minds, and not riot at the first negative utterance of Muhammed.