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Turkish president says Christian leaders must avoid statements offending Muslims |
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Written by AP
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Sunday, 01 October 2006 13:47 |
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Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer said Christian leaders should avoid making statements that could offend Muslims, saying the world was going through sensitive times.
Although Sezer did not make any direct reference to Pope Benedict XVI, his remarks clearly referred to the pontiff's Sept. 12 speech, which included a reference to a Byzantine emperor who characterized some teachings of the Prophet Muhammad as "evil and inhuman" such as spreading Islam "by the sword."
"It is important that leaders of the Christian world take care to avoid statements and acts that may lead to offense to people of different faiths during this sensitive period which we are going through," Sezer said during a speech marking the opening of parliament.
It was the president's last speech to parliament before he steps down in May 2007.
Sezer criticized spate of terrorist acts by Islamic militants saying the fact that many problems in the Middle East had remained unsolved did not justify violence against the "innocent."
However, mentioning terrorism and Islam together while referring to such violent acts "could bring about dangerous results," Sezer said.
Benedict is planning to visit Turkey, in what would be his first papal pilgrimage to a predominantly Muslim country, in late November.
Turkish officials were among the most vocal critics of the pope for remarks he made, quoting a Medieval-era Byzantine emperor during a Sept. 12 speech.
Benedict has since made efforts to make amends, insisting that the remarks did not reflect his personal view and saying he has esteem for Islam.
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