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Islamic Human Rights Commission
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16th September 2006

PRESS RELEASE: Pope Benedict XVI’s comments justify exclusion of Muslims

In response to the Pope’s comments regarding Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and Islam, and the Vatican’s attempt to diffuse the controversy but its failure to apologise, IHRC Chair, Massoud Shadjareh stated:

“At a time when the understanding of universality of mankind as a concept is greatly needed, the Pope has sadly propagated the idea of European, Christian, Western superiority. He has also demonised Islam and Muslims in a way that not only makes them unwelcome in Europe but legitimises their removal.

“Rampant Islamophobia makes such views palatable amongst some sectors of societies, however the result of such xenophobia will affect other communities. We have been here before when the established churches in Europe – in recent history – helped to demonise Jews as inimical to European values. The Holocaust was the result. The Pope needs to apologise now before he is used as a vanguard for those who attack Muslims.”

For more information or further comment, please call the Press Office on (+44) 20 8904 4222, (+44) 7958 522 196, email info@ihrc.org.

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