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Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago
231 S. State Street,
Suite 300
Chicago, Illinois 60604 PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE 9/15/2006 Contact: Janaan Hashim, Council
Spokesperson, (312) 218-4961 Chicago Muslims Unwavering In
Muslim-Catholic Dialogue Despite Pope's Comments
CHICAGO, IL - Sept.
15: Despite their surprise and sorrow at Pope Benedict's comments made
last Wednesday accusing the Prophet Mohammed of spreading Islam through
violence, the Chicago Muslim community remains
steadfast on their path of
dialogue and understanding to bridge the gap of misunderstanding between
members of both faiths.
"Our relationship with the Chicago Archdiocese is
healthy and with deep roots," said Chairman of the Council of Islamic
Organizations of Greater Chicago, Abdul Malik Mujahid, "and we hope that with
the Archdiocese, we can help educate the Pope as to where Islam stands on the
issue of interfaith relations."
"Islam and the life of Prophet Mohammed
teaches compassion, mercy, and the preservation of life," said Mujahid. He
added that the Pope's comment would only serve to further inflame
Islamophobia. "Unfortunately, it has become acceptable to make derogatory
comments against Muslims with disregard to their truth," said Mujahid adding
that this is, "no different than making an anti-Semitic comment. Both are
unacceptable."
Mujahid stated that Muslims are praying for the Pope's
better understanding of Islam. "If the Pope is anything similar to the
Chicago Archdiocese, we are confident that he will learn from this experience
and our relationship will become stronger than what it is today," said Mujahid.
Yesterday evening, Holy See Press Office
Director Fr. Federico Lombardi S.J. declared that it wasn't the intention of
Pope to offend the sensibilities of Muslims but rather "a clear and radical
rejection of the religious motivation for violence."
-END- The Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago
is a federation of over fifty mosques and Islamic centers, schools, and
organizations thereby representing the 400,000 Muslims who call Chicago
their home
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