Forgive and forget the pope blunder

At a meeting with Muslim ambassadors on Monday, Pope Benedict XVI has called on Christians and Muslims to "engage with one another in order to address the numerous challenges that present themselves to humanity, especially those concerning the defence and promotion of the dignity of the human person and of the rights ensuing from that dignity".

The meeting came a few days after the pope reportedly criticised Islam and described it in a lecture as a religion which encouraged violence. The lecture sparked angry reactions around the world. Muslim leaders called on him to apologise.

The pope's meeting with the Muslim envoys came in this context. He wanted to explain himself to those whom he thought have misunderstood his words.

However, his words were very clear. His criticism of a religion, followed by more than one billion people, was unwarranted and ill-timed.

Nevertheless, it is time the issue stopped at that. The initiative of the pope to invite Muslim ambassadors to explain himself and affirm his commitment to the peaceful dialogue between Muslims and Christians should be appreciated. Attempts of dragging the issue out of its real proportion should be condemned. And extremists on both sides must be told to back off.

In a time when cross-cultural bridges are under attack because of fundamentalist and state-sponsored terrorism, the world can do better without another religious clash.

"The Church looks upon Muslims with respect," said the pope. And we tell him that Muslims respect Christians. "Inter-religious and inter-cultural dialogue between Christians and Muslims cannot be reduced to an optional extra. It is, in fact, a vital necessity, on which in large measure our future depends," he added.

His statement echoes similar calls by a number of Muslim leaders who believe the future of humanity, especially in this region more than ever, depends on the mutual understanding, where nobody has the right to ridicule faith or its followers.