I refer to malaysiakini's report, Apology from Pope inadequate: Syed Hamid .

I stand along with millions of peace-loving people and brother and sister Muslims around the world who are totally upset and angry with Pope Benedict XVI for his 'controversial and unbecoming speech' in Germany, which belittled Islam.

As a learned professor, he should have known better.

The speech which was delivered the day after the fifth anniversary of September 11 send 'shocks and shivers' around the globe and fears that the statements made would ignite again the "flames of anger, death and destruction" after the infamous and stupidity shown by those behind the "Danish cartoons".

As a Malaysian Christian from the Anglican heritage, I find the perceived views of the pontiff in sharp contrast to a more conciliatory approach begun by his predecessors, like Pope John XXIII in the 1960s, carried on by Pope Paul VI and Pope John Paul II, and culminating in John Paul II asking for "pardon" for excessive militancy by the church, including the Crusades.

No matter what the present pontiff or his 'spindoctors' now say, I find it rather difficult to believe that his reference to an inherently violent strain in Islam was entirely accidental.

His uncalled-for comments has also come at a time of 'religious turbulence' and attempts by two individuals to hijack "true Islam" - one living in a cave somewhere in the borders of Pakistan and Afghanistan and another politician leading a great nation, both who may now use the same to create more divisions and sow the seeds of further hatred and intolerance at a time when interfaith, peace and fellowship initiatives are needed.

The pontiff's comments will further create divisions and convince brother and sister Muslims that the west is incurably Islamphobic and engaging in a 'new crusade'.

I must state quite strongly that we simply cannot afford this type of religious bigotry.

But I must admit that the problem is that too many people in the western world consciously or unconsciously share this prejudice and are convinced that Islam and the holy Quran are addicted to violence, which is a totally wrong and misplaced deduction.

We must realise and acknowledge that the 9/11 terrorists had violated essential Islamic principles and that those that indulge in such violence form a minority, just like Christianity has its own set of deviants.

Unfortunately, I must admit with disturbing regularity, this medieval and misplaced conviction against Islam and Muslims surfaces every time there is trouble in the Middle East or any part of the world.

We must realise that Islam is far more tolerant and a peaceful faith than Christianity.

The holy Quran strictly forbids any coercion in religion and regards all rightly guided religion as coming from God; and I must state quite plainly despite the western belief to the contrary, Muslims did not impose their faith by the sword.

It is now time for these forms of deviant thinking and comments to cease and fresh initiatives to be put into motion to bring brother Jews, Christians and Muslims to peaceful co-existence and mutual respect of one another.

We must work to address the "root causes of these violence", the issues of injustice done to the people in Palestine and work towards a plan of action real action that would return them their right to an independent state, for peace and dignity.

But first, it is pertinent that Pope Benedict XVI issue an official apology to all Muslims across the world.