Pope or dope?

If 99 per cent of wisdom consists of good judgment, Pope Benedict XVI can be said to have failed an important test, one which moreover will sit like a dark cloud on his papacy. While giving a speech on faith and reason at Regensburg University in Germany, he mentioned the following remark made by a 14th century Byzantine king. "Show me just what Muhammad brought that was new, and you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." He did not, however, endorse the first part of what he quoted, only the second. Some journalist, looking for news on a dull day in""of all things""a discourse that was probably beyond his understanding, plucked out this sentence and sent it along on wires. He did not, as he should have, put the remark in its proper context. All that the world read was the above sentence which the Pope had quoted. The result was predictable: an angry reaction from Muslims all over the world, who demanded an apology and have now got it. In that at least, the Pope has shown better judgment, although some might say that the apology is worded ambiguously inasmuch as it is not clear whether he is sorry for what he said or for the reactions it provoked. Nevertheless, the furore ought to die down now, but not the questions it has raised. These pertain to the Pope, the media, and the Muslims.

The Pope has to ask himself if what he is doing in respect of Islam is what the world needs. He has been insisting on reciprocity, which means Muslim countries should treat Christian minorities as well as Christian countries treat Muslim minorities. He has, according to a report in a respectable weekly, "downgraded the part of the Vatican bureaucracy which deals with Islam". These and other actions reveal a subdued belligerence which will be popular in the non-Islamic world but which will also encourage a sense of being victims and provoke Islamic hotheads. The Pope needs to ask himself if this is what mankind needs at this juncture.

The media, too, can't escape blame for starting a needless controversy. The speech would never have come to anyone's attention in the ordinary run of things because it is altogether too intellectual and closely argued to attract anyone but the most cerebrally inclined. But the manner in which a remark by some remote and insignificant ruler was presented by the media suggests that reporters and their editors should do some introspection. Responsible conduct is expected from everyone, and more than others from the media, whose capacity for creating trouble is immense.

As for the Muslims, they could do worse than to ask themselves if every gaffe, big or small, by someone (and never mind even if it is the Pope) is worth getting so hot and bothered about. Ascertaining the full facts and maintaining a sense of proportion are good ways to start. Otherwise, even when they are fully justified in taking umbrage (which does not mean violence), Muslims run the risk of being labelled intolerant. In a world that is already getting polarised, a little bit of common sense and restraint on everyone's part""churches, popes, the media, politicians and ordinary people""will be welcome.