Benedict Urges Islam-Christian Harmony

Pope Benedict XVI told a group of Muslims in Cologne Saturday Islam and Christianity must work together to defeat terrorism.

In his first visit to his homeland as pope — and his first meeting with Muslims — Benedict said terrorism represented the darkness of a new barbarism, the New York Times reported.

The newspaper said the pope told the Muslims — most of them representing an organization of Turks in Germany — improved relations between Islam and Christianity are not optional.

It is, in fact, a vital necessity, on which a large measure of our future depends, he said.

He said Muslim teachers have a great responsibility to educate their youth and seemed to suggest the education should discourage hatred and violence. The newspaper said the pope’s comments also seemed to send a message on the rights of Christians to practice their faith in predominantly Muslim countries.

Respect for minorities is a clear sign of true civilization, he said.