Indonesians rally to support Palestinians, condemn Pope

JAKARTA, Sep 16 (Reuters) About 1,000 Indonesian Muslims waving flags and shouting ''God is Great'' marched today to the Palestinian embassy in Jakarta to demonstrate their support for the Palestinian people and criticise the Pope.

The demonstrators, who arrived at the embassy after a 45 kilometre march from their Islamic boarding school in West Java, demanded the al-Aqsa mosque be freed from Israeli control.

''As we know up until now the al-Aqsa mosque, which is the Muslims' right, is still under the colonial rule of Islam's enemies,'' said protest leader Heri Budianto.

They also criticised comments made earlier this week by Pope Benedict on Islam and jihad or holy war which have been roundly condemned by Muslims as an attack on their religion.

''Only Muslims can understand what is jihad. It is impossible that Jihad can be linked with violence, we Muslims have no violent character,'' said Budianto.

Indonesia is the world's most populous Muslim nation, with some 85 per cent of its 220 million people following the faith.

In a speech on Tuesday during a visit to Germany, the Pope appeared to endorse a Christian view, contested by most Muslims, that the early Muslims spread their religion by violence.

Today, Pope Benedict issued a statement saying he was sorry Muslims found his speech offensive and expressing his respect for their faith and hope that they would understand the ''true sense'' of his words.

Indonesia has no diplomatic relations with Israel and historically has been a staunch supporter of the Palestinians.

REUTERS SY VV1752