The controversy over the Pope's anti-Mohammed remarks of last week continues to simmer. While some Muslim groups around the world accepted his speech yesterday as one of contrition, others noted that he merely apologized for the "reaction" his words caused, and not for actually uttering them.
The story began last Tuesday in Germany, when Pope Benedictus XVI quoted the words of a 14th-century Christian Emperor. The exact quote: "Show me just what Muhammad 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 he preached."
The speech, which may have been intended merely as a warning against religious terrorism, aroused fury throughout the Moslem world - though it developed into actual violence in only a few places. Arabs in Palestinian Authority-controlled areas attacked seven Christian churches, and a nun was murdered in Somalia.
The next development was the Pope's weekly address in the Vatican on Sunday afternoon, at which it was expected that he would relate to the controversy and possibly retract his words. In the event, however, he expressed only his "deep regret" at the strong reaction his words caused. He said the quote was misunderstood to be his own opinion. He did not retract his statements, but instead noted his "high regard" for Islam.
For some Moslems, these remarks were enough - but not for others. In Gaza City later that day, Muslim cleric Dr. Imad Hamto called on the pope to "repent and ask for forgiveness" - possibly intending this as the well-known Islam "invitation'" to convert or else face the threat of death.
In London, famous Muslim extremist Anjem Choudary was more direct, telling Moslem protestors straight out that the Pope should face execution. He said those who insulted Islam would be "subject to capital punishment."
The violent Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt originally accepted the Pope's words as an apology, but later issued another statement calling upon him to apologize more directly.
In Iraq, two armed groups threatened the Vatican with reprisals. In internet-posted statements, the League of Jihadists in Iraq warned, "Know that the soldiers of Mohammed will come sooner or later to shake your throne and the foundations of your state."
Some analysts believe that the Pope does not intend to take the Islamic terror threat lightly. Prof. Rafi Yisraeli, speaking with Arutz-7's Hebrew newsmagazine today, said the Pope wishes to make clear to the many Christians-turned-Moslems that Islamic past is not quite what it is made out to be by present-day Muslims.
The professor, who has just concluded writing a book on the integration of Islam into Europe, said also that the Pope's partial apology stems from his concern for Christian minorities in Moslem countries.
Jerusalem Post religion commentator Anshel Pfeffer writes that the Pope has taken a relatively hard-line stance against Islamic terrorism, including opposing Muslim Turkey's joining the European Union as a full member, and implicitly condemning terror and placing the responsibility squarely with Muslim leaders.
Israel's Chief Sephardic Rabbi Shlomo Amar takes a different approach, however, preferring not to take a chance on provoking even more violence. In a letter to a Moslem leader, Rabbi Amar expressed his sorrow "over the deprecating things said against Islam. Our way is to respect all religions, nations and peoples according to their customs. As the prophet [Micah] said, 'For let all people walk everyone in the name of his god, and we will walk in the name of the Lord our G-d forever and ever."
The story began last Tuesday in Germany, when Pope Benedictus XVI quoted the words of a 14th-century Christian Emperor. The exact quote: "Show me just what Muhammad 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 he preached."
The speech, which may have been intended merely as a warning against religious terrorism, aroused fury throughout the Moslem world - though it developed into actual violence in only a few places. Arabs in Palestinian Authority-controlled areas attacked seven Christian churches, and a nun was murdered in Somalia.
The next development was the Pope's weekly address in the Vatican on Sunday afternoon, at which it was expected that he would relate to the controversy and possibly retract his words. In the event, however, he expressed only his "deep regret" at the strong reaction his words caused. He said the quote was misunderstood to be his own opinion. He did not retract his statements, but instead noted his "high regard" for Islam.
For some Moslems, these remarks were enough - but not for others. In Gaza City later that day, Muslim cleric Dr. Imad Hamto called on the pope to "repent and ask for forgiveness" - possibly intending this as the well-known Islam "invitation'" to convert or else face the threat of death.
In London, famous Muslim extremist Anjem Choudary was more direct, telling Moslem protestors straight out that the Pope should face execution. He said those who insulted Islam would be "subject to capital punishment."
The violent Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt originally accepted the Pope's words as an apology, but later issued another statement calling upon him to apologize more directly.
In Iraq, two armed groups threatened the Vatican with reprisals. In internet-posted statements, the League of Jihadists in Iraq warned, "Know that the soldiers of Mohammed will come sooner or later to shake your throne and the foundations of your state."
Some analysts believe that the Pope does not intend to take the Islamic terror threat lightly. Prof. Rafi Yisraeli, speaking with Arutz-7's Hebrew newsmagazine today, said the Pope wishes to make clear to the many Christians-turned-Moslems that Islamic past is not quite what it is made out to be by present-day Muslims.
The professor, who has just concluded writing a book on the integration of Islam into Europe, said also that the Pope's partial apology stems from his concern for Christian minorities in Moslem countries.
Jerusalem Post religion commentator Anshel Pfeffer writes that the Pope has taken a relatively hard-line stance against Islamic terrorism, including opposing Muslim Turkey's joining the European Union as a full member, and implicitly condemning terror and placing the responsibility squarely with Muslim leaders.
Israel's Chief Sephardic Rabbi Shlomo Amar takes a different approach, however, preferring not to take a chance on provoking even more violence. In a letter to a Moslem leader, Rabbi Amar expressed his sorrow "over the deprecating things said against Islam. Our way is to respect all religions, nations and peoples according to their customs. As the prophet [Micah] said, 'For let all people walk everyone in the name of his god, and we will walk in the name of the Lord our G-d forever and ever."