Vatican newspaper warns against 1-sided portrayal of Islam
March 28, 2016
L’Osservatore Romano published a column on the front page of its Holy Saturday edition cautioning against one-sided media portrayals of Islam.
In the column, Zouhir Louassini, a Muslim journalist who works for Italy’s state-owned 24-hour news channel, argued that Western media fail to cover diverse views of Islam that “fill the Arab public square.”
Louassini cites a Moroccan professor’s statement that the Qur’anic phrase “people of the book” really means “family of the book,” with the implication that Judaism and Christianity are worthy of the same respect as Islam.
A one-sided Western portrayal of Islam, Louassini continued, fosters fear and hatred, hinders dialogue between cultures, and helps lead “to an Orwellian world from which the critical spirit is banished.”
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Posted by: k_cusick1963 -
Mar. 29, 2016 9:07 AM ET USA
I think modern humankind would benefit greatly from reading the lessons of history, especially European history from the 7th century until about the 18th. Christianity and Judaism have learned to peacefully co-exist. But throw Islam in the mix and bloodshed follows as surely as night follows day. A Caliphate is not an invitation to peaceful dialogue. It is a promise to annihilate the Infidels (i.e., you and me). Our Christian brothers and sisters from earlier centuries knew this,
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Posted by: rjbennett1294 -
Mar. 29, 2016 8:20 AM ET USA
I will agree with this article in L'Osservatore Romano, when that newspaper also prints an article that calls for: 1) the disowning of Wahhabi Islamic fundamentalism by Saudi Arabia, 2) an end to the export of Wahhabi Islamic fundmentalism by Saudi Arabia to countries like Pakistan, 3) an end to the prohibition on building Christian churches in Saudi Arabia, 4) an end to the policy of arresting anyone who publicly practices Christianity (or any other religion) in Saudi Arabia.
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Posted by: Travelling -
Mar. 29, 2016 5:16 AM ET USA
I have just been reading parts of the Qu'ran which was given to me in the street in the city local to me. Within it, there are statements which disprove the above attestation that Islam regards Judaism and Christianity with respect.
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Posted by: jalsardl5053 -
Mar. 28, 2016 10:41 PM ET USA
Tellya what, Zouhir Louassini and LOR, when we see Muslims genuinely taking on their extremist brethren, then things will be less one-sided.
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Posted by: feedback -
Mar. 28, 2016 9:02 AM ET USA
I do not know of any Catholic who "criticizes" Islam as such, or even cares much about it. People, Christians and non-Christians alike, are justifiably critical about Islamic terrorism that targets indiscriminately innocent victims. It's hard to comprehend the minds of adherents to "mainstream religion" who believe in Heavenly reward for a random slaughter of innocent people in suicidal bombings. That kind of mindset is a much greater evil than the alleged "one-sided media portrayals of Islam."
