Muslim Backs Pope's Anti-terrorism Message

JAKARTA, Indonesia, JULY 15, 2005 (Zenit.org).- Religion and violence don’t mix, said the rector of the State Islamic University of Jakarta, who supports Benedict XVI’s views on terrorism.

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«Every religious leader should subscribe to statements like the one made by Pope Benedict XVI,» Azyumardi Azra told AsiaNews.

He added «that the Holy Father highlighted a very fundamental principle of any religious confession, namely that no religion has teachings that can be reconciled with violence.»

According to Azyumardi, whose university is home to thousands of young Muslim students from around Indonesia, the essence of the Pope’s appeal is universally accepted since it gives «voice to the spirit of friendship, togetherness, and repentance, something that every religion should do to those who commit wrongdoings.»

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