Muslim Scholar Seeks Debate With the Pope

Eminent scholar of comparative religion Dr.Zakir Naik has invited Pope Benedict XVI for an open inter-faith dialogue.
The Pope`s recent statement, which included a quote from a 14th century Byzantine emperor, sparked outrage in the Muslim world. In his latest efforts to calm down the Muslim anger the Pope invited diplomats from 20 Islamic countries at his summer residence in south of Rome. This extraordinary gathering was seen as the latest effort by Benedict XVI to quell the furor stirred two weeks ago by controversial remarks he made about Islam.
He is attempting to channel the emotion into what he calls an authentic and respectful dialogue. Dr. Naik sees the Pope`s statement on Islam as pre-planned.
"He (the Pope) knew very well what he was speaking at University of Regensburg in Germany on September 12," he said.
"The Pope`s apology to the Muslims was at all not an apology rather it was putting salt on the wounds," said Dr. Naik, adding that the Pope should have explicitly apologized and retracted his statement.
"I am more than willing to participate in the inter-faith dialogue with Pope Benedict XVI. I am ready on any topic he (the Pope) wishes as long as it focuses on Quran and the Bible," Dr. Naik said. He said he can go to Rome or Vatican to meet the Pope.
"I can go to Rome and to Vatican on my own expense if an Italian visa is arranged for me," he told ONLINE after delivering his lecture on "20 most common questions about misconceptions of Islam," organized by Sri Lankan Embassy in Riyadh, attended by a number of ambassadors, diplomatic staff and members of the Sri Lankan community. Dr. Naik during the past three years has delivered over 600 lectures in the US and Canada.
"I am absolutely ready for an open and public debate with the pope under live international TV coverage," he said.
Let the 1.3 billion Muslims and 2 billion Christians around the world listen to the debate based on equal slot of time allotted to both sides, he said.
"It is not only a debate but also a question and answer session allowing the people to ask queries," he said. He said he is not in favor of closed-door meeting with the Pope, as was suggested by his predecessor Pope John Paul II, when South African-based Islamic scholar Ahmed Deedat invited him for open dialogue, he said. Full News
References - geocities.com , paktribune.com , saudigazette.com