Ahlul Bayt News Agency ; Egypt's Coptic Christian leader Pope Shenouda III has apologised in a television interview to any Muslims who were offended after his top bishop reportedly disputed the authenticity of some verses of the Quran.
The remarks come during a period of heightened tension in Egypt between the majority Muslims and a Christian minority that feels discriminated against.
Shenouda's apology comes a day after the premier institute of Islamic learning in the Sunni Muslim world, Al-Azhar, criticised Bishop Bishoy, the Coptic Church's No. 2, for provoking sectarian tension.
Bishoy was quoted in the Egyptian media for wondering about the time frame for the revelation of the Quranic verses disputing the divine nature of Jesus Christ. The bishop reportedly said these verses were inserted after the Prophet Muhammad's death by one of his successors.
Muslims believe that the prophet received all verses through the Archangel Gabriel during his lifetime and they are the immutable word of God.
Tensions between Muslims and Copts are on the rise over issues like the construction of new churches and bitter arguments over conversions. The two communities generally live in peace, though clashes and attacks have taken place.
"Debating religious beliefs are a red line, a deep red line," Shenouda said in an interview aired on state-run TV. "Maybe they (Bishoy's address) thought this is for priests only and the remarks were not for publication."
"I am sorry if our Muslim brother's feelings were hurt," he added.
Thousands of Muslims demonstrated on Friday against Bishoy's remarks and Al-Azhar's Islamic Research Centre held an emergency meeting to condemn the bishop's statements.
"Such irresponsible statements threaten ... national unity at a time when it is vital to maintain it," said the statement.
End item/ 129