Qaradawi Organization Says Pope Must Apologize “Just As He Apologized To The Jews”

MEMRI has provided additional details on the apology demanded from the Pope by the International Union of Muslim Scholars (IUMS). According to a communique translated by MEMRI, the IUMS is demanding that the Pope apologize “just as he apologized to the Jews.”:

On September 13, 2012, the day before Pope Benedict XVI began his visit to Lebanon, the International Union of Muslim Scholars (IUMS), headed by Sheikh Yousuf Al-Qaradhawi, issued a communiqué attacking him. The IUMS called on the pope to apologize for the acts of slaughter committed by the Crusaders in Spain, and for a 2006 lecture in which he claimed that the Muslim religion supports violence. The following are excerpts from the communique:[1]

The Pope Should Apologize To Muslims ‘As He Apologized To The Jews’ ‘While the [International] Union [of Muslim Scholars]is working to calm the rage of Muslims worldwide, [which was aroused]by non-Muslims insulting the honorable Messenger [i.e. the Prophet Muhammad], [so that they]confine themselves to peaceful protests and not attack any embassy or Christian site – it [also]calls on the pope to apologize to Muslims for his lecture [in 2006 in Regensburg, Germany],[2] his apostolic exhortation,[3] and the slaughters committed by the Crusaders [against Muslims]in Andalusia, just as he apologized to the Jews.

‘It is known that the IUMS espouses the mainstream [Islamic] ideology, which is based on peaceful coexistence and respecting the rights of others, and calls for constructive dialogue as the best way to solve problems and build balanced relationships. Therefore, the IUMS tried to conduct dialogue with the Vatican, but felt that it was one-sided. In addition, the current pope, in his famous lecture, made false accusations about Islam and its magnificent Messenger, may Allah’s prayer and peace be upon Him. The IUMS demanded that he apologize for the content [of the lecture], but he did not do so. As a result, the IUMS ceased dialogue with the Vatican until [the pope]apologized or until the situation changed… ‘

Read the rest here.

The International Union of Muslim Scholars (IUMS) was launched on July 11, 2004 in conjunction with a visit by Youssef Qaradawi to London for a meeting of the European Council for Fatwa and Research. Many prominent individuals tied to the Global Muslim Brotherhood are or have been associated with the IUMS including:

Rachid Ghannouchi (leader of the Tunisian Muslim Brotherhood)

Ismail Haniyeh (Hamas Prime Minister in Gaza)

Safwat Hegazi (close to the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood )

Isam al-Bashir (Sudanese Muslim Brotherhood leader)

Jamal Badawi (U.S. Muslim Brotherhood leader)

Mohammad Sawalha (U.K. Muslim Brotherhood/Hamas)

Basheer Nafi (Palestinian Islamic Jihad leader, formerly associated with the International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT)

Isaq Farhan (Jordanian Muslim Brotherhood)

Salah Sultan (formerly tied to U.S. Muslim Brotherhood, noted anti-Semite)

Qaradawi, a virulent anti-Semite is often referred to here as the most important leader of the global Muslim Brotherhood, an acknowledgement of his role as the de facto spiritual leader of the movement. In 2004, Qaradawi turned down the offer to lead the Egyptian Brotherhood after the death of the Supreme Guide. Based in Qatar, Sheikh Qaradawi has reportedly amassed substantial wealth through his role as Shari’ah adviser to many important Islamic banks and funds. He is also considered to be the “spiritual guide” for Hamas and his fatwas in support of suicide bombings against Israeli citizens were instrumental in the development of the phenomenon. A recent post has discussed a video compilation of Qaradawi’s extremist statements.