Iran cleric says Pope's remarks lack understanding

TEHRAN, Sep 15 (Reuters) An influential Iranian cleric today called Pope Benedict's remarks on Islam ''absurd'' and said it showed the Pontiff knew little about the religion.

Muslim leaders have condemned Benedict over the comments he made on Tuesday during a visit to his German homeland and called on him to apologise.

''Unfortunately the Pope has insulted Islam ... Muslims have reacted to his absurd remarks and will continue to react properly,'' Ahmad Khatami told worshippers at Tehran University, broadcast live on state radio.

Some Islamic scholars have said Islamic countries should threaten to break off relations with the Vatican, which said the Pope had never meant to offend Islam.

In his speech, Benedict quoted criticism of Islam and the Prophet Mohammad by 14th century Byzantine Emperor Manuel II Palaeologus, who wrote that everything Mohammad brought was evil and inhuman.

Khatami said the Pope's speech was ''very regrettable''.

''Also it is very regrettable that the religious leader of Christians has so little knowledge of Islam and shamelessly talks about it,'' Khatami said.

A row earlier this year over Danish cartoons that depicted the Prophet Mohammad deepened the sense of a divide between Islamic culture and the West.

In his speech, the Pope invited Muslims to join a dialogue of cultures that agrees the concept of Islamic ''holy war'' is unreasonable and against God's nature.

Khatami, a member of the Assembly of Experts -- a clerical body that supervises Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei -- repeated that the Pope lacked a ''correct understanding of Islam''.

''I am telling those who have not understand our dear Islam, to learn more about it,'' Khatami said.

The Organisation of Islamic Conference also has said it regretted the Pope's remarks.

REUTERS AB VV1639