Trend Middle East editor's head Rufiz Hafizoglu
The visit of the Pope Benedict XVI to the Holy Land was one of the most discussed themes in the world. The Pope Benedict XVI visited holy places in Jordan within the trip. He intends to visit Israel and Palestine in the nearest future. The Pope Benedict XVI called this visit as "world pilgrimage".
Many Arabic politicians consider visit of the Pope Benedict XVI to the Middle East as positive action towards beginning of inter-religious dialogue.
According to director of religious research center named after king of Jordan, ex-ambassador of Jordan to UN Hassan Abu Himat, this visit is important both for Christian and Islamic world.
Many Muslim and Christian religious figures hoped that 2008 will be the year of inter-religious dialogue. So, 2008 was announced as the year of inter-religious dialogue in Europe. Various conferences and meetings were organized in Europe and several Muslim countries to conduct dialogue. The dialogue aims to bring together churches and mosques.
When Turkish thinker Fethullah Gulen suggested inter-religious dialogue, he was accused of masonry. May Muslim scientists, mainly Saudi Arabian muftis said that the dialogue was impossible.
Inter-religious dialogue could prevent many problems occurred in religious sphere in the world, including the Middle East. But it did not give expected effect.
Vatican's officials said that visit of the Pope Benedict XVI to the Middle East does not have political character. It is pilgrimage and public worship.
But despite these words, the visit turned from public worship into policy.
Gudsa status was put in the agenda. But king of Jordan Abdullah II said that Muslims and Christians must pay special attention to Gudsa problem.
Abdullah II said that Muslims and Christians must solve Gudsa problem together.
He stated that Muslims and Christians must assist in release of Palestine from occupation.
During his speech, he stressed necessity in inter-religious dialogue.
Speaking about inter-religious dialogue, people often think that dialogue must be held between Muslims and Christians as if there are problems only between these religious confessions.
There is misunderstanding between not only Muslims and Christians but between Muslims and Jews, idolaters and Muslims, all other religious confessions.
Will inter-religious dialogue which basis has been laid during "world pilgrimage" of the Pope to the Middle East be held?
Many world events, including the Middle East demonstrate that representatives of three fundamental religions have not prepared for the dialogue yet.
The reason is statements of religious figures stated intentionally or not. So, these statements cause new problems.
Many conflicts have religious shape. It is impossible to talk about dialogue.
Speaking about the first and the last "world pilgrimage" of the Pope to the Middle East, it should be noted that several outstanding events occurred.
First, Israel expressed its sharp protest against the Pope's visit to Palestine.
Besides Christian holy places in Palestine and Israel, the Pope will visit refugees' camp in Ayda, situated between Guds and Beytlahim cities. Roughly 5,000 Palestinian refugees placed there.
Then Israeli religious figures expressed their protest towards transmission of several holy for Christians places to Vatican.
They also called for ceasing talks between Israel and Vatican regarding transmission of several holy places to Vatican.
The visit of the Pope Benedict XVI was considered ambiguously in Islamic world. Muslim religious figures, especially mufti Gudsa sheikh Tamimi called Benedict XVI for recognizing Israel's military operations in the Gaza sector as crime.
But Islamic world's requirements towards the Pope dealing with "world pilgrimage" to the Middle East were not limited.
Benedict XVI was called for begging pardon for words stated about Islam and Jihad during his visit to Germany.
Addressing in the Regensburg University in Bavaria on September 12, the Pope said: "Show me what new things brought Muhammad! You will find out evil and inhuman things, such as to get on faith he preached by sword."
One can say that the Pope's visit to the Middle East was not envisaged for public worship. The visit lost its initial aim - public worship and turned into policy.
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