Moscow, Russia, Nov 28, 2006 / 12:00 am (CNA).- The Council of Muftis of Russia has criticized protests against the visit of Pope Benedict XVI to Turkey organized by radical Islamic political parties.

According to the RIA Novosti news agency, the vice president of the Council of Mufties of Russia, Damir Guizatullin, said, “We do not support those actions, which we consider to be counterproductive.  We have always held that in order to foster harmony and peace between diverse peoples and religious there needs to be dialogue.”

According to the Muslim leader, the protests do not reflect the opinion of the majority of Turks.  Some 100,000 Muslim teachers, as well as the leaders of the country, welcome the visit by the Holy Father.

Guizatullin also said he was asked by Turkey’s Minister for Religious Affairs, during phone call, about how Muslims in Russia feel about the Pope’s visit, and told him Muslims there have no plans to protest the trip, and are actually very much in support of the trip.  

“At the Council of Muftis we spoke about the unacceptability of provoking a confrontation between different religions and ethic groups,” Guizatullin stressed.

04:50 am | Archbishops Nienstedt and Chaput defend CCHD as criticisms continue

01:46 am | Holy Father reminds the hearing impaired they are also recipients of the Gospel

09:07 pm | CNN poll finds 61% of Americans oppose government-funded abortions

08:02 pm | USCCB: Senate health care bill 'morally unacceptable'

05:54 pm | Mexican expert: Don’t believe false 'end of world' Mayan prophecies

Pope Benedict XVI arrives in Turkey, “a bridge between Asia and Europe”

Lets us live together in harmony, peace, and trust, Pope tells Turkish religious affairs minister

Regensburg will have a positive influence on papal visit to Turkey, Vatican official says

Knights of Columbus begin ‘Spiritual Pilgrimage’ with Pope