Saturday, December 02, 2006
Turkish Daily News approves Pope ?
According to the "Turkish Daily News", Pope Benedict XVI was so humble and generous all throughout his four-day stay and he acted with such deep understanding towards the values of Islam that it would not be an exaggeration to say he has won the minds and hearts of Turks, if, unfortunately, not the entire Muslim world.
The "San Diego Mercury" and other papers were not fulsome with their praise. "Many remained dubious about a man who had been roundly criticized for comments earlier this fall about Islam." and Turkish President for Religious Affairs Ali Bardakoglu - who in September had accused the pontiff of "having hatred in his heart" for Muslims - told the Pope that leaders have a responsibility to stem the tide of Islamophobia in the west, not feed it.
"Praise and fears" sum up the smarmy UK Guardian's comment. and they mentioned that they take the "Turkish Daily News" main comment as "Pope Dashes Turks' Hopes for EU Support". They also say "some Christians will be less than impressed".
But the Turks want to join the EU and no sane EU member who has looked at the issues wants that anytime soon, hence perhaps the difference in reported Press comment.
The "Hindu" said that the Pope's visit made a "striking demonstration of a point he had made repeatedly - that Christians and Muslims worship the same God.". "This visit,'' the Pope told the grand mufti as they emerged from the spectacular mosque, ``will help us to find together the means and paths of peace for the good of humanity.'' It also said, apparently quoting the UK Guardian. that the "Pope indirectly took a swipe at the Turkish state, which does not recognise the Roman Catholic minority. ``We urge all world leaders to respect religious freedom as a fundamental human right,'' he said"
Well, the Pope may have prayed in a mosque and the Muslims put up with that, and that is about it. Islamism still there and Turkey has no better a case to join the EU than it had before a little newspaper spin. That being said, things could certainly have gone worse, and the Pope was jolly wise to secure maximum protection on his visit.
IMO: I'll stick with Ganesh, Shiva and indeed Hanuman and all the Gods.
The "San Diego Mercury" and other papers were not fulsome with their praise. "Many remained dubious about a man who had been roundly criticized for comments earlier this fall about Islam." and Turkish President for Religious Affairs Ali Bardakoglu - who in September had accused the pontiff of "having hatred in his heart" for Muslims - told the Pope that leaders have a responsibility to stem the tide of Islamophobia in the west, not feed it.
"Praise and fears" sum up the smarmy UK Guardian's comment. and they mentioned that they take the "Turkish Daily News" main comment as "Pope Dashes Turks' Hopes for EU Support". They also say "some Christians will be less than impressed".
But the Turks want to join the EU and no sane EU member who has looked at the issues wants that anytime soon, hence perhaps the difference in reported Press comment.
The "Hindu" said that the Pope's visit made a "striking demonstration of a point he had made repeatedly - that Christians and Muslims worship the same God.". "This visit,'' the Pope told the grand mufti as they emerged from the spectacular mosque, ``will help us to find together the means and paths of peace for the good of humanity.'' It also said, apparently quoting the UK Guardian. that the "Pope indirectly took a swipe at the Turkish state, which does not recognise the Roman Catholic minority. ``We urge all world leaders to respect religious freedom as a fundamental human right,'' he said"
Well, the Pope may have prayed in a mosque and the Muslims put up with that, and that is about it. Islamism still there and Turkey has no better a case to join the EU than it had before a little newspaper spin. That being said, things could certainly have gone worse, and the Pope was jolly wise to secure maximum protection on his visit.
IMO: I'll stick with Ganesh, Shiva and indeed Hanuman and all the Gods.
# posted by uv : 7:03 AM
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