A visibly weary Pope John Paul II spoke out against hatred, fanaticism and terrorism Monday on the last leg of a visit to Kazakhstan and he sought to stress the Catholic Church's respect for Islam.
"I wish to reaffirm the Catholic Church's respect for Islam, for authentic Islam: the Islam that prays, that is concerned for those in need," the frail pontiff said in Russian on his third day in the former Soviet republic.
"Hatred, fanaticism and terrorism profane the name of God and disfigure the true image of Man," the pontiff added, speaking during a visit that has been dominated by the shadow of terrorist attacks on the United States.
The devastating suicide strikes left more than 6,000 people feared dead, and central Asia is now tensely awaiting possible US reprisal assaults against Saudi-born militant Osama bin Laden and Afghanistan, where the multi-millionaire is still thought to be based.
During his trip, the 81-year-old pontiff has expressed his sorrow about the terrorist attacks in Washington and New York on September 11, but has urged dialogue rather than use of arms to resolve conflicts.
The US terror strikes not only overshadowed John Paul's trip to this former Soviet republic, but they heightened the relevance of his calls for religious tolerance.
"Recalling the errors of the past, including the most recent past, all believers ought to unite their efforts to ensure that God is never made the hostage of human ambitions," the pope said.
On Sunday, the pope told Muslims and Catholics here that religion could never be used as an excuse for war and urged all faiths to unite to prevent a slide into bloodshed.
"We must not let what has happened lead to a deepening of division," the pope said after celebrating mass before a mixed crowd of different ethnic groups and confessions in the Kazakh capital Astana.
"Religion must never be used as a reason for conflict," he added, speaking in English.
John Paul's four-day trip has brought the pope closer to Afghanistan and into a region that has been attacked twice over the past two years by Islamic extremists.
Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev told the pontiff Sunday during their meeting that he agreed that terrorism should not be linked to nations or religions.
At a separate press conference Monday, the Kazakh leader said that he was prepared to allow the United States to use his country's air space in the fight against terrorism.
Pope John Paul II also used his visit to the vast and sparsely populated nation to pay tribute to the sufferings and persecution of Catholics and other nations exiled to former Soviet Kazakhstan by the Soviet regime.
The pontiff was due to leave for Armenia on Tuesday -- ASTANA (AFP)
© 2001 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
