The leader of Islam’s most important university and also the Egyptian mosque by the same name, Al-Azhar, has offered to renew relations with the Vatican. The olive branch came with a note that first Pope Francis should publicly declare that "Islam is a peaceful religion."
In response, a Christian Coptic organization suggested that Muslim leaders are the only ones who can make Islam a peaceful religion, and encouraged the imam to make that happen.
The Muslim world severed ties with the Catholic Church in 2006 after Pope Benedict XVI, who resigned this spring, discussed an incident in which Islam’s prophet, Mohammed, was described as a warmonger who spread evil teachings. [Clarion Project] Read more
