Sir, William Rees-Mogg (Comment, Sept 18) gives a very generous interpretation of the Pope’s comments. This was not just any quote that the Pope chose, but possibly one of the most anti-Islamic quotes in history.

To list the positives that Muhammad brought to the world would take too long. But relevant to this debate is that Islam is the only one of the three monotheistic religions to preach explicitly tolerance of the other monotheistic faiths. Abraham, Moses and Christ are all some of Islam’s greatest prophets.

The pontiff implies that Islam is incapable of accommodating reason. Far from it: the Koran frequently makes clear that Muslims must use their minds. It was Muslim philosophers who, by arguing that religion and reason were compatible, sowed the seeds for European Christianity to challenge the Church. What followed was the Renaissance, the Reformation and the Enlightenment.

But the most devastating consequence of the Pope’s ill-judged speech is that it has damaged the chances for dialogue on precisely the important issues that he has raised. Instead of being a positive force for good, reaching out to Muslims and helping them win the battles for ideas against the extremists, he has created division and fuelled fanaticism.

CHRIS DOYLE
Director, Council for Arab-British Understanding

Sir, In the midst of the current sensitive situation in the world, Pope Benedict has certainly added fuel to the fire by his latest comments about Islam.

In the light of clear guidance in the Holy Koran, the Word of Allah, it is absolutely wrong to say that the Holy Prophet of Islam ever commanded his followers to “spread by the sword the faith he preached”. The Holy Koran admonishes: “There is no compulsion in religion.”

It appears very naive of the Pope to choose a 14th-century Byzantine Christian emperor for a quotation against Islam if he himself did not mean it. If the Pope simply wants to condemn the militant and terrorist activities being done, without any justification, in the name of Islam, he is most certainly right to do so. But the religion of Islam does not approve of militancy or terrorism. The right of fighting in self- defence is, no doubt, granted in Islam. And no one can object to this basic human right.

I wish the Pope had not made these derisive comments which reflect poorly on his credibility and judgment.

ATAUL MUJEEB RASHED
Imam, the London Mosque
London SW18

Sir, The Muslim Moors ruled Spain until about five centuries ago, about seven centuries after Muhammed — about the same period as the quotes used by the Pope. Under their Muslim rule the highest levels of religious tolerance existed. The universities the Moors established were far above any in Western Europe at the time.

Why can not the leaders of all nations strive to get back to this level?

MICHAEL CORFIN
Edgware, Middx

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