Muslims hit back after Pell attack
May 07, 2006
Members of the Muslim community have hit back at Cardinal George Pell for his comments about Islam.
(The Sydney Morning Herald, May 7, 2006) In a speech to US Catholic leaders last week, Cardinal Pell, the Archbishop of Sydney, said the Koran was riddled with "invocations to violence" and "the challenge of Islam will be with us for the remainder of our lives, at least".
Defending the comments on Friday, Cardinal Pell said in a statement: "Islamic terrorists are not a figment of anyone's imagination, and the history of relations with Islam is full of conflict." But he said he was committed to dialogue with Muslims.
Yesterday Islamic Friendship Association of Australia spokesman Keysar Trad said: "Whether it is the failure to address [Dan] Brown's Da Vinci Code or answer [AWB] Commissioner [Terence] Cole, Islam bashing provides a great distraction."
Mr Trad quoted verses in the Koran that told believers to protect non-believers who are not hostile to Muslims.
Islamic Council of NSW spokesman Ali Roude said Cardinal Pell should "avoid making statements that he cannot support with evidence".
Muslims hit back after Pell attack