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Pope urged to apologise further Muslim body welcomes Pope apology
(about 5 hours later)
Pope Benedict XVI has not apologised enough for making comments offensive to Muslims, Islamic leaders in the UK say. The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) has welcomed Pope Benedict XVI's apology for comments he made earlier in the week about Islam.
In a statement, the Vatican said the Pope was "very sorry" for using a quote saying the Prophet Muhammad brought the world only "evil and inhuman" things. Islamic groups called for an apology after the Pope quoted a 14th Century emperor's views the Prophet Muhammad was "evil and inhuman" in a speech.
The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) expressed concern the Pope had not "repudiated" the views he was quoting. On Sunday he appeared at his residence at Castel Gandolfo outside Rome to say he did not share those views.
And Labour peer Baroness Uddin urged the pontiff to use his next Mass to say something "bridge-building". An MCB spokesman said: "We certainly welcome the Pope clarifying that."
Now the Pope has made that clear, we hope things will calm down Inayat Bunglawala, Muslim Council of Britain
Stressing that they were not his own words, the Pope quoted Emperor Manuel II Paleologos saying: "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."
MCB spokesman Inayat Bunglawala said: "All the while we've been asking the Pope to make it clear he did not share the views of the Christian emperor, which he had in his address at Regensburg University."
He said there was confusion over the inclusion of the words "because the Pope used the passage without ever qualifying it". The incident has sparked anger from some Muslims.
Mr Bunglawala said: "Now the Pope has made that clear, we hope things will calm down. It is exactly what we wanted to hear.
Ajmal Masroor said the Pope should declare all world religions equal
"A man in his position ought to be building bridges between communities."
Ajmal Masroor of the Islamic Society of Britain told BBC News: "What we want him to say... is world religions are all equal, we need to work together to create a peaceful and inclusive society."
Mr Masroor said Islam was "very ready" for the Pope's call for "frank and sincere dialogue" between the religions.
'Bridge-building'
On Saturday, an earlier apology from the Pope was described as "a good first step" in "recognising the hurt he caused", but MCB said they were "not sure whether this is enough of an apology".
Labour peer Baroness Uddin had urged the pontiff to use his next Mass to say something "bridge-building".
Although she welcomed the apology, the baroness said the Pope needed to make a gesture towards building a "good interfaith relationship with the Muslim world".Although she welcomed the apology, the baroness said the Pope needed to make a gesture towards building a "good interfaith relationship with the Muslim world".
"I would urge his office that his grace should consider saying something which will be seen as bridge-building, which will be seen as peaceful," she said. In the speech at Regensburg, the German-born Pope explored the historical and philosophical differences between Islam and Christianity, and the relationship between violence and faith.
There is still a concern that he has not repudiated the views of the emperor MCB
"I would really welcome further steps from the Vatican office to ensure that the Pope takes the opportunity of saying something in his Mass."
In his speech, the Pope quoted criticism of Muhammad made by Emperor Manuel II Paleologos - a 14th Century Christian emperor.
The MCB said the Pope had made "a good first step" in "recognising the hurt he caused", but the group said they were "not sure whether this is enough of an apology".
"It would have been better if he'd said the views of the emperor no way accorded with his. There is still a concern that he has not repudiated the views of the emperor."
We must encourage Muslim communities to say 'fine, it's settled' Ajmal Masroor of the Islamic Society of Britain
However, Ajmal Masroor of the Islamic Society of Britain, praised the Pope's apology, saying it was "greatly noble" of him to accept "his mistake".
"We must encourage Muslim communities to say 'fine, it's settled'," he said.
In the speech at Regensburg University, the German-born Pope explored the historical and philosophical differences between Islam and Christianity, and the relationship between violence and faith.
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."