Muslim condolences for the death of Pope John Paul II

Muslims have expressed their heartfelt condolences for the Pope’s death on April 2, 2005. Here are what a few Muslim organizations had to say about him:

The Muslim Council of Britain

Pope John Paul II bestrode the international stage for nearly three decades with a simple message of peace, justice and freedom. He was a man of extraordinary faith, courage and compassion. He will be remembered by the poor and disenfranchised for his love and respect for all human beings. Pope John Paul’s death will leave an enormous void in the hearts of hundred of millions of people around the world” - Iqbal Sacranie, Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Britain.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)

'Muslims worldwide respected Pope John Paul II as an advocate for justice and human rights.  His message of international peace and interfaith reconciliation is one that will reverberate for decades to come.  We offer our sincere condolences to members of the Roman Catholic Church and to all those who seek a more peaceful world.'

The Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago

Abdul Malik Mujahid, Chairman of the Council, issued the following statement:

“On behalf of the Muslim community, I would like to convey our heartfelt condolences. We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Pope John Paul II. We respect and admire his contributions to humanity in the last quarter of the century, and he will be missed by those who pray for peace and goodwill on this Earth.

One of the most significant contribution of Pope John Paul II's was his reaching out to other religions. John Paul II spearheaded a move by the Catholic Church towards respect conciliation with the Islamic faith, confident in the ethical values Catholics and Muslims share.

His visits to Muslim countries, his opposition to the Gulf war in 1991 and the invasion of Iraq in 2004 gained him much support among the Muslims of the world.

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