Following is the full transcript of Fox and Friends First’s interview with ILDC Executive Director, Dr. Louay Safi. The interview took place on Tuesday, September 18, 2005, at 6:50 a.m. EDT. Dr. Safi was invited to answer questions on the Muslim’s reaction to Pope Benedict’s controversial statement on Islam. The interview was conducted by Kiran Chetry and Tiki Barber.

Kiran Chetry of Fox and Friends First began the interview by asking Louay Safi to comment on the strong Muslim reaction to Pope Benedict XVI’s remarks on Islam.

Louay Safi: Well, it’s very unfortunate that the pope quoted the bigoted words of a medieval emperor who had nothing positive to say about Islam, but I’m glad that he now clarified his position and he said that he doesn’t share those words, but as you could see that this has created a lot of stir.

Chetry: Well, what I’m saying is a clarification about too many people that are becoming incited about the fact that he didn’t necessarily mean; that because the pope went back and said that’s not what I meant; these are not my words; yet we are seeing those riots in the streets around the world.

Safi: Well, you have to understand the statement that the pope quoted was absolutely negative; it said that nothing came from Islam but evil and inhumane things, and it came from a person who has very high respect throughout the world--he has a large following-- at a time when we need more healing than inflammatory statements. Now I understand that the pope didn’t mean it, but you can imagine if the religious leaders in Egypt would say nothing comes from Christianity or Judaism but evil and inhumane…

Barber: He said that he didn’t mean it, and I think a lot of people are upset because his apology was kind of half-hearted in a way, but the reaction has been extreme. There have been a lot of protests. There have been some fire bombings at some churches in Gaza strip. Has this angry reaction put a bad light on Islam when it really is a peaceful religion?

Safi: I agree with you that some of the reactions have been very extreme, and American Muslims have condemned the violence that was done in the name of Islam in reaction to the pope comments, but for the most part, most Muslims were just expressing their dismay to what they have heard, and wanted to get more clarifications from the Pope. And I think we have to move on and try to create better understanding between religions.

Chetry: Well this just can’t help your cause though, we see these pictures when they’re saying death to the people, and people that are widely respected--some of these clerks--calling for the assassination of the pope.

Safi: I think this is unacceptable: We condemn that. It doesn’t also help to perpetuate some of the deep prejudices against Islam, and I think we all wanted to hear more forceful words from the pope. I believe his statements pointed to the fact he wanted to move on and not accept those words. It’s unfortunate, actually, because we just concluded a very important meeting between Catholics and Muslims in Michigan just a week ago. American Muslims really have a good relationship with the Catholic Church and the Counsel of Catholic Bishops and so this just came at a time we want to bring more understanding and respect.

Barber: Absolutely and we hope that the rhetoric in this calms down and the violence definitely ceases. Louay Safi thank you for joining us this morning, we appreciate your insight.

Safi: You are welcome