Pope Benedict XVI Regrets By Abdel Aziz Dimapunong

Pope Benedict XVI Regrets

By Abdel Aziz Dimapunong

Al-Jazeerah, September 28, 2006

Praise is to God-Alone who gives the temporal power of reason to whom He pleases, and for as long or short as He pleases. And peace is to Prophet Muhammad, his companions, friends and family. And peace to everyone on this occasion of Ramadhan 1427 A.H

On September 12, 2006, Pope Benedict XVI delivered a lecture at Regensburg University where he was quoted to have said “offensive remarks about Islam and Muslims”. It was clear that the pope linked the religion of Islam to violence. The Muslims reacted faster than they did on the issue of Danish cartoons. It was immediately unleashed with fury. By Friday, September 15, 2006, Palestinian protestors marched in the Gaza Strip waving the flags of Hamas and chanting Allaho Akbar (Allah is Greater). Prime Minister Ismail Haniya criticized the pope's comments, saying: "These remarks go against the truth and touch the heart of our faith.”

The following day, thousands of Muslims have held demonstrations around the world. They protested against the remarks made by Pope Benedict about Islam.

Five days after he made his remark, Pope Benedict XVI said he “sincerely regretted” that he may have offended the Muslim world. This partly calmed down the outrage of some Muslims although some still want more than being sorry. Among those that reacted positively were the Muslim Council of Britain, Britain’s Ramadhan Foundation, the British Muslim Initiative, and the Islamic Society of Britain.

In making his remark, Pope Benedict XVI wishes to set back the time to the Byzantine days of conflict. Nobody seems to understand why he quoted Emperor Manuel II Paleologus who was anti-Islam. Why Joseph Ratzinger had to say those hurting words befuddled so many. I personally do not wonder. The Holy Qur’an has the explanation. Benedict is already 79 years old in the Gregorian calendar. By reckoning of the Hijra Islamic calendar, Benedict is already about 82. He is already an octogenarian in lunar time frame. This time frame marks fixed period of time in the affairs of man (Qur’an: v 189, s. 2). In Islam, Muslims who live during and after the Prophet Muhammad, peace be on him, are told to expect a life expectancy of only 60 years. Any longer life maybe considered as a chance to live and believe in God-Alone. It is also of common knowledge that after the age of 60, a person’s intelligence and reasoning starts to decline. At the age of over 70, this decline may amount to forgetfulness and memory lapses. Reaching the age of 80 and above, amnesia or schizophrenia may set in. By the standard of Islam after Hijra, 82 is an old age. In the Philippines, under a special law, they are called “senior citizens”, they bring Identification Cards because they are treated separately from others. By Freudian theories, octogenarians are susceptible to commit a Freudian slip.

The Holy Qur’an speaks of declining capacities of man including physical strength, intellectual and reasoning abilities. And this may be the relevant message for everyone. In the popular Sura Ya Siin is stated: “If we grant long life to any, we cause him to be reversed in nature. Will they not then understand?” (Qur’an: v. 68: s 36). Let me call this as the verse of diminishing capacity of man. This verse is particularly relevant considering that Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, the Vatican foreign relations secretary, is insisting on an interfaith dialogue “based on sound intellectual foundation” and that he would like the dialogue to be so personal that “the thoughts of Pope Benedict XVI should be seen in that context”.

Yousef Ali, the famous translator of the meanings of the Qur’an had this comment on the verse of diminishing capacity: ” As a child, the powers of mind and body are still undeveloped. As he grows, they grow, and certain moral qualities, such as courage, daring, the will to conquer, unfold themselves. In extreme old age these are again obscured, and a second childhood supervenes”. In the end man loses all of his memory – even his life. An even while man is still alive, his fleeting intellectual capacity dies every time he falls asleep.

Therefore, considering the age of the pope, we may just consider his remarks as a slip-up

According to Sigmund Freud, this condition results from the operation of unconscious wishes or conflicts and can reveal unconscious processes. Besides, the pope has already said he is sorry. He already expressed his “sincere regrets”.

There is another reason why we should let go the remarks of Pope Benedict XVI. Today is the start of Ramadhan fasting. This is a holy month when it is required of every Muslim not to be hostile. Yes, even when a Muslim is challenged to a fight, he should just say: “I am fasting”.

Going back to the Pope, he also partly mentioned the popular verse 256 of surat Al-Baqara which partly reads: “There is no compulsion in religion.” Then he made some unwarranted comments. Rather than a rejoinder to whatever comments he has made about this sura, let me just patch up because that is just a part of the verse. It should be read: “Let there be no compulsion in religion, the truth stands clear from error… ”

To my dear Pope Benedict XVI, as the truth stands clear, the truth shall set you free.

Abdel Aziz Dimapunong
Imam, Masjid Al Khairi
Ramadhan 2, 1427 AH

The author is the Imam of Masjid Al Khairi, No. 3, Marawi Avenue, Maharlika Village, Tagig City, Metro Manila, Philippines. He is also Chancellor, Islamic Banking Research Institute, and Chairman Emeritus, Amanah Islamic Bank of the Philippines 15th Floor, Washington Tower, Asia World Complex Paranaque City, Philippines

Earth, a planet hungry for peace

Apartheid Wall


The Israeli Land-Grab Apartheid Wall built inside the Palestinian territories, here separating Abu Dis from occupied East Jerusalem. (IPC, 7/4/04).

The Israeli apartheid (security) wall around Palestinian population centers in the West Bank, like a Python. (Alquds,10/25/03).

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