The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) has called on Pope Benedict XVI to "urgently clarify" comments made during a speech about the concept of holy war.
Muslim Labour peer Baroness Uddin has called for an apology after Pope Benedict XVI's comments on holy war.
The Pope, on a visit to Germany, quoted a 14th Century Christian emperor who said Prophet Muhammad had brought the world only "evil and inhuman" things.
The Pope's words were a "type of throwaway irrelevant analysis of religion", she told BBC Radio 4.
The MCB said the Pope had caused "dismay and hurt" to Muslims and asked for clarification "without delay".
The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) said it wanted the Pope to "urgently clarify" his comments.
The Vatican said the Pope had not meant to offend Muslims.
The Vatican said the Pope did not mean to offend Muslims when he repeated a quote saying Muhammad brought to the world only "evil and inhuman" things.
His comments have been criticised by Muslim leaders from across the world.
Baroness Uddin said: "I am worried about the current climate which licenses this type of irresponsible analysis of religion.
"If he did not mean it he should not have said it."
She added: "I hope that we are just going to demand of our politicians that Pope Benedict make some apology."
The MCB said the Pope had caused "dismay and hurt" to Muslims.
University speech
The pontiff delivered his speech - which explored the differences between Islam and Christianity, and the relationship between violence and faith - at Regensburg University.
The pontiff delivered his speech - which explored the differences between Islam and Christianity, and the relationship between violence and faith - at Regensburg University.
The Pope has understandably caused a lot of dismay and hurt throughout the Muslim world MCB
In it, he quoted Emperor Manuel II Paleologos of the Byzantine Empire, the Orthodox Christian empire which had its capital in what is now the Turkish city of Istanbul.
In it, he quoted Emperor Manual II Paleologos of the Byzantine Empire, the Orthodox Christian empire which had its capital in what is now the Turkish city of Istanbul.
Stressing that the words were the emperor's and not his own he said: "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."
Stressing the words were the emperors and not his own he said: "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."
'Insulting remarks'
MCB secretary general Mohammed Abdul Bari said the emperor's views about Islam were "ill informed" and "frankly bigoted".
MCB secretary general Mohammed Abdul Bari said the emperor's views about Islam were "ill informed" and "frankly bigoted".
"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 between the followers of Islam and Catholicism," he said.
"Regrettably, the Pope did not do so and this has understandably caused a lot of dismay and hurt throughout the Muslim world."
'Confrontational style'
The British Muslim News newspaper has called for the Pope to apologise and "withdraw the insulting remarks".
The British Muslim News newspaper has called for the Pope to apologise and "withdraw the insulting remarks".
"His approach to Islam and Muslims is not conducive to interfaith dialogue and the respect of other religions," editor Ahmed Versi said.
Former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Carey said it should not be assumed the quoted words of the emperor represented "the Pope's beliefs about Islam today".
"It seems he prefers confrontational style of dialogue with Muslims."
Former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Carey, meanwhile, said it should not be assumed the quoted words of the emperor represented "the Pope's beliefs about Islam today".
"But Muslims as well as Christians must learn to enter into dialogue without crying 'foul'," he added.
It is clear that the Holy Father's intention is to cultivate a position of respect and dialogue towards other religions and cultures, and that clearly includes Islam The Vatican
"We live in perilous times and we must not only separate religion from violence but also not give religious legitimacy to violence in any shape or form."
In a statement, chief Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi defended the Pope saying he had not intended to "offend the sensibility of Muslim believers".
"It is clear that the Holy Father's intention is to cultivate a position of respect and dialogue towards other religions and cultures, and that clearly includes Islam," the statement added.
