CAIRO, Sept. 15 (UPI) -- Remarks about Islam made by Pope Benedict XVI have sparked condemnations by Islamic countries, which have accused him of fuelling a clash of civilizations.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Ghait said Friday the Pope's remark that Prophet Mohammed spread by the sword the faith he preached "will trigger controversies among civilizations and undercut efforts aimed at filling the gap between East and West."
Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood spiritual chief Mohamed Mehdi Akef denounced the pontiff's comments and accused the Vatican of misunderstanding Islam.
In a statement carried on the Brotherhood's Web site, Akef demanded a public apology from the pope, stressing that such remarks fuel hatred between partisans of the various religions and threaten world peace.
Akef also called on the pope to become acquainted with Islam and study the faith in a neutral manner, away from fanaticism.
At a lecture on historical ties between religions given during a visit to Germany Tuesday, the Pope said that Islam's jihad, or holy war, carried a religious motivation towards violence and that Islam did not include enough restrictions on violence.
In Lebanon, the government reportedly decided to summon the papal ambassador to complain about the pope's remarks and ask for a clarification.
Vatican spokesman Reverand Federico Lombardi said Tuesday the pontiff had not been giving an interpretation of Islam as "something violent," and that he respects Islam.
Qatar's official newspapers also criticized the Pope's remarks, which they said indicate that the pontiff is not familiar with Islam's principles and values.
Daily al-Watan urged the pope to "correct his views about Islam and retract his remarks."
Daily al-Raya said the pope's comments "are strange, unacceptable and constituted a blunt slander of Islam that should not be made by a Christian religious leader highly-placed as the pope."
