Muslim Leader Asks for Dialogue with LA Cardinal to Reinforce Strong Ties

September 17, 2006

Source: CBC News

http://cbs2.com/topstories/local_story_260213247.html

On September 17, 2006 CBS News reported, "A local Muslim leader said Sunday he would like a 'dialogue' with Los Angeles Cardinal Roger Mahony in the wake of Pope Benedict's recent remarks about Islam that sparked a violent reaction. Executive Director Salam Al-Marayati of the Muslim Public Affairs Council also condemned the violence and said relations between local Muslims and Catholics have always been 'excellent,' and the dialogue was aimed at reinforcing those ties... The pontiff has apologized twice for his remarks, Sunday saying he was 'deeply sorry for the reactions in some countries to a few passages of my address at the University of Regensburg, which were considered offensive to the sensibility of Muslims. These in fact were a quotation from a medieval text, which do not in any way express my personal thought.' He also said 'I hope that this serves to appease hearts and to clarify the true meaning of my address, which in its totality was and is an invitation to frank and sincere dialogue, with great mutual respect.'"