Message for Pope & the West
By Nazia Nazar

POPE Benedict visited Turkey with a message of dialogue and brotherhood between Christians and Muslims.

Though he is the father of Christianity but, for the Muslims, he is the person who has hurt their feelings when in September, he quoted blasphemous remarks about Islam and the Holy Prophet (PBUH) in his lecture.

As the result he was not being welcome by the Muslims who waved the banners with the words "You're not welcome, Pope,", albeit it was his first visit to a Muslim country.

Interestingly, the Pope who used to be the opponent of Turkey’s entry in EU was now seen favoring it-----a very diplomatic gesture.

He visited turkey as a “land of church” from where most of the writings that make up the New Testament originated, or for the ‘dialogue and brotherhood’ with the Muslims is also another issue.

But one thing really perplexes the mind that if they are really sincere in their offer of “dialogue and brotherhood, why they hurt the feelings of Muslims through different means? Is it sagacious that, first, you hurt then try to mend?

Can Christian-Muslim relations improve in this way? Certainly not. If West is not careful about its action, the rift will be widened.

The dialogue can only be successful if you try to understand others’ point of view. While the reality is that there are widespread misconceptions about Islam which need to be removed for harmonious Christian-Muslim relations.

It is also a plain truth that anti-Muslim forces are afraid of the popularity of Islam and active in their false propaganda against this divine religion which is a big impediment in the way of smooth Christian-Muslim relations.

But they should accept the reality that the image of Islam can not be tarnished by such means. For them, it may be shocking but it is a truth that the popularity of Islam is more increasing in the west, making it the second largest religious group in France, Great Britain and USA.

It is worth mentioning that the incidences like 9/11 also could not deter the popularity of this divine religion.

As according to the Council for American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), "34,000 Americans have converted to Islam following the events of September 11, and this is the highest rate reached in the U.S. since Islam arrived there.” Sarah Joseph, editor of a British magazine has written that Islam will be the most widely practiced religion in the UK by 2020.

Estimates suggest that anywhere between 10,000 and 50,000 people a year convert to Islam in the UK, which is currently home to approximately 1.8 million Muslims.

Even a naive can reach the conclusion that such a popularity can not be gained by violent means. So the propaganda that ‘Islam is spread by sword’ is baseless and can not be accepted by a right thinking mind.

Another most important reality that West should not be reluctant to accept is that the ‘tag of terrorism’ which is being attached with Islam is also baseless on the pretext that the messages of Holy Quran is contrary to this allegation. Holy Quran proclaims at many places;

“Do not promote disorder in the earth”(Al-Quran 7:55)

“Do not go about committing inequity on the earth, causing disorder.”(Al-Quran 7:74)

“Allah loves not those who create disorder and make mischief.”(Al-Quran 5:64)
In fact, the people who attach violence with Islam are oblivious to the fact that the first ever written document of peace was concluded by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) to end the chaos, violence and lawlessness, prevailing in that society.

Isn’t this peace treaty set an example for the modern world which has fought 150 wars between 1945 and 1979, taking the lives of millions of people?

The West may keep mum over this question but the Muslims have the answer of Pope’s quoted question which he has raised in his “controversial lecture” that “show me what Muhammad brought”;

And the answer is that the the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) brought with him the religion which prevails because it is the most supreme divine faith, perfectly compatible with human nature.

It gives shelter to the oppressed, deprived masses and presents solutions to all human problems. It teaches how to conduct peace amid of bloodshed, it advises not to kill the weak and never destroy trees during war.

It proclaims that to kill an innocent human being is like to kill the whole mankind and to save a single soul is like to save the whole humanity. It is the religion which gives the principle of amr bi al-ma‘ruf (enjoining the good). Such a religion needs no sword for its propagation because it conquers the heart, it touches the soul.

If West accepts these realities and perceives the Muslims with “un-Biased Eyes”, the efforts for “dialogue and brotherhood” between Christians and Muslims can bear fruits because Muslims are prepared for ‘dialogue’ and harmonious relations not only with Christians but also with any community.

But if West is not careful in its actions and doesn’t leave hurting the religious feelings of the Muslims, it should not point its fingers of accusations at Muslims for being “intolerant”, as hitting continuously on the same part of the body makes the wound incurable.●

© 2006 Nazia Nazar