The same 'illogic of unreason' that has left Islam petrified in its primitive medievalism appears to govern this decision. Any sane person would think that a formal occasion for dialog that has been held for several years now would be the opportunity to clear up Egyptian misgivings about anything the Pope said - which, to begin with, no thinking individual would consider in any way as 'interference in Egyptian affairs'... But no, like petulant children, Sunni Islam's 'highest authority' simply chooses to walk off in a huff... Should we be surprised at the reciprocal hostility between Sunnis and Shiites - so bloodily evident in Iraq - even if both sides swear by the Koran? At least the Christian religious wars ended a few centuries ago.
Sunni Islam's al-Azhar
freezes talks with the Vatican
Jan 20, 2011
CAIRO, Jan. 20 (dpa) - Al-Azhar, one of Sunni Islam's oldest universities and mosques, said Thursday it has indefinitely suspended inter-faith talks with the Vatican in response to recent remarks by Pope Benedict XVI on attacks against Christians in the Middle East.
The decision was taken in light of Benedict's 'repeated negative references to Islam and his claims that Muslims persecute those living among them in the Middle East,' Al-Azahr said in a statement sent to this news agency.
Al-Azhar, which is a Cairo-based government institution, and the Vatican have previously cooperated to promote dialogue between Christians and Muslims.
However, relations were shaken when Benedict earlier this month condemned a New Year's Eve bombing of a Christian Coptic church in Alexandria that killed 23 people.
The Pontiff's words drew criticism from Egypt's top Muslim cleric, Ahmed Al-Tayeb of al-Azhar University who described then as an 'unacceptable interference in Egypt's affairs.'
Last week Egypt recalled its ambassador to the Vatican following a speech by Benedict to foreign diplomats in which he again referred to the Alexandria attack as well as violence against Christians in Iraq, and called on governments in majority Muslim countries to increase efforts to protect their Christian populations.
In response, the Foreign Ministry issued a communique in Cairo that 'Egypt considers the latest statement by the Vatican to be an unacceptable interference in its domestic affairs.'
Official figures estimate that Christians comprise between 10 and 15 per cent of Egypt's population.
Vatican reaffirms position of
openness to dialogue with Islam
20 JAN 2011 (RV) - Vatican press office director Fr Federico Lombardi S.J., reaffirmed the Vatican’s position of “openness and readiness to dialogue” with Islam Thursday, following the announcement earlier in the day by the highest institution in Sunni Islam of its decision to indefinitely freeze its dialogue.
The decision of Sheikh Ahmad el-Tayeb, Grand Imam and president of al-Azhar University in Cairo, and members of the Islamic Research Academy came in mid-morning after an extraordinary meeting called by the Academy.
Reacting to the news, Fr. Lombardi stated that the Pontifical Council for Inter-Religious Dialogue is collecting the information needed to adequately understand the situation, and determine how to proceed.
Previously on 2 January, the Grand Imam had spoken against the Pope's New Year’s appeal to world leaders to protect Christians in the wake of the attack on the community in Alexandria, Egypt. An appeal he described as unacceptable interference.
On that occasion, Fr Lombardi had immediately emphasized that the Pope had naturally spoken of solidarity with the Coptic community, but had also expressed concern for the consequences of violence on the whole population, Christian and Muslim.
The statement issued by Al-Azhar Thursday morning also accused the Pope of a frequently negative attitude to Islam.
The declared suspension of dialogue comes one month before the next scheduled meeting of the Joint Committee for Dialogue of the Pontifical Council for Inter=Religious Dialogue and the Permanent Committee of al-Azhar for Dialogue among the Monotheistic Religions.
Fr. Lombardi concluded his statement Thursday reaffirming that the Vatican’s position remains one of openness and readiness to dialogue.
[Modificato da TERESA BENEDETTA 21/01/2011 22:22]