Young Muslim appreciates Pope Francis’s address in Abu Dhabi
by Kamel Abderrahmani

Pope Francis spreads "peace in the name of God and his mercy". Islamic institutions must excommunicate directly and imperatively the "blacksmiths of death". People must build bridges of humanity together. "We are no longer in the Middle Ages and Western governments are not the Catholic Church".


Paris (AsiaNews) – Kamel Abderrahmani, a 30-year-old Algerian Muslim scholar, read the address Pope Francis delivered yesterday evening at an interfaith meeting in Abu Dhabi. Here are his thoughts.

I have just finished reading His Holiness's speech. I am amazed by the beauty and sincerity of the comments made.

After this visit, Muslim institutions will have nothing more to say about the violence that is done in the name of Islam except to directly and imperatively excommunicate the blacksmiths of death.

Pope Francis showed us today that he is not only the top representative of the Catholic Church but also someone who wants to spread peace in the name of God and his mercy.

He is a teacher of love, goodness and beautiful words, those of God. Personally, I always thought he was one of the best popes the Catholic Church has ever had. Under his leadership, there is no Catholic who could harm others in the name of the Christian Faith because the Pope's address is clear: violence is condemned, absolutely.

Muslims and Muslim institutions must understand that today the relationship between Muslims and Christians must be established on the bases of common ground and a sense of brotherhood.

We are no longer in the Middle Ages and Western governments are not the Catholic Church. This means that there is no crusade in the name of the Christian faith in the modern age.

Pope Francis has opened his arms to Muslims, offering brotherhood, love and peace. The latter should not refuse this chance to build bridges of humanism together.