Muslims protest against Pope from Egypt to Malaysia

CAIRO, Sep 22 (Reuters) Thousands of Muslims from Cairo to Kuala Lumpur protested against Pope Benedict at mosques today, demanding at least a full apology and in some cases a retraction of comments he made about Islam on September. 12.

At Cairo's 10th century al-Azhar mosque, a traditional centre of Sunni Muslim learning, many hundreds of Muslims took part in what the organisers called a Day of Anger.

The Pope quoted a Byzantine emperor as saying that everything which Islam brought was evil and inhuman, and the faith was spread through violence.

The Friday preacher criticised the Pope's initial response to the controversy.

''Not only do we not accept his apology, but his insulting words should be wiped out of the text,'' he said.

Pope Benedict has said he regretted the reaction to his speech and that he does not share the emperor's views.

But he has not responded to requests that he explain his own views on Islam, leading many in the Islamic world to suspect that he privately shares the hostile attitudes of some right-wing Europeans and Americans.

The Vatican said today that the Pope will meet Muslim ambassadors to the Vatican and Italian Islamic leaders on Monday to try to calm lingering anger over his speech.

Speakers after communal Friday prayers in Cairo linked the Pope to the invasion or occupation of Arab and Muslim countries by the United States, Israel and their friends and allies.

''Wake Up Muslims! It's a conspiracy between the Pope and Bush!'' said a banner strung between two mosque pillars.

''It looks as if the Vatican is providing the religious justification for the wars waged in Iraq and Afghanistan,'' said Kamal Habib, a scholar who helped organise the protest in Cairo.

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