Tariq Ramadan rejects Al-Azhar Decision to suspend dialogue with the Vatican

Rome, 21 Jan. (AKI) - A prominent Muslim on Friday rejected the Cairo-based Al-Azhar University’s decision to suspend inter-religious dialogue with the Vatican after remarks by Pope Benedict XVI that were critical of Islam and the plight of the Christian minority. In an interview with Adnkronos International, Tariq Ramadan said there was “no war against Coptic Christians” in Egypt.

“It is incorrect to say the Coptic community in Egypt is in danger. There are terrorist acts that don’t have anything to do with most Muslims. It is extremely important to be cautious on this point, the risk is to play along with the terrorists who want to deepen divisions in Egypt, there is no ’war’ against Copts.”

Ramadan spoke to Adnkronos International from Rome’s private LUISS University where he was participating in a debate on religion, democracy and civil liberties.

“It’s a mistake to interrupt channels of dialogue between Islam and the Vatican,” Ramadan said.

“It’s normal for the Pope to intervene and be critical when a bomb hits a Coptic place of worship,” Ramadan said. He was referring to the New Year’s Eve bomb attack on a church in northern Egypt which killed 23 people and injured around 80.

“The same attack was also condemned by Al-Azhar,” he said, referring to the university in Cairo which is considered the highest seat of Sunni Muslim learning.

Tensions have been high between Islamic leaders and the Vatican ever since the pontiff’s inflammatory remarks made in September 2006, suggested Islam was a violent and unreasonable religion. Those remarks sparked protests, and forced the Pope to apologise for any misunderstanding.

Ever since, Benedict has sought to build bridges with Muslims. In April 2009, he signed an agreement with the Arab League for the promotion of dialogue, justice and peace. This was followed by his first Middle East visit one month later, which included a visit to the King Hussein Mosque in Amman, Jordan as well as other significant religious sites and cities in the region.

“What is needed, which I recognise the Pope has already done on some occasions, is to not intervene solely when the discrimination regards Christians, but also when the victims are Muslims or belong to another faith,” Ramadan stressed. He also strongly condemned the attacks on Christians taking place in other Middle Eastern countries, such as those in Iraq.

“The attacks have a terrible impact on the international image of Islam,” he concluded.