Yahoo reports that there was an explosion at a Greek Orthodox Church in Gaza City. It is suspected that it was in reaction to the pope's comments on Jihad.
Outgoing Hamas prime minister Ismail Haniya condemned the comments "in the name of the Palestinian people."
"These remarks go against the truth and touch the heart of our faith," Haniya said after weekly Muslim prayers in a Gaza mosque.
"The pope should revise his comments and stop attacking Islam, which is the religion of more than 1.5 billion people in the world," he added.
Four home-made devices exploded during the day around the compound of Gaza City's oldest church, the Greek Orthodox, although there were no casualties and little damage.
Obviously the work of amateurs.
This is positively ridiculous. People have said a lot worse about Catholicism: heck we can take it, why can't you?
Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit "fears that the declarations by the pope did nothing but reinforce calls for a war of the civilizations," said his spokesman Alaa Al-Hadidi.
The violent people are not at all responsible for their actions...no.
Interesting how the blame is put on the pope, not on the people being violent.
"We ask the Vatican to immediately explain its position compared to these comments," he added, noting that they came after late Pope John Paul II had done much to improve relations between the two faiths.
Read the darn speech!
In response to the Muslim backlash against his comments, Benedict's official spokesman said the pope respected Islam but rejected violence motivated by religion.
Yeah, that sounds like the words of a fanatical Muslim-hater.
Another aspect was that Ramadan, the Muslim month of fasting, was due to start by the end of next week.
"Such a speech can be made profitable by extremists" to exacerbate the feelings of the faithful, noted the Al-Ahram analyst.
Why all this anger towards the pope? There should be this much outrage directed at the extremists.
"Traditionally, Ramadan is also a month of combat where supporters of the jihad galvanize the warlike heat of the 'soldiers of God' against Crusaders and non-believers," said Gad.
And prove the pope's point. Thanks.
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