Turkish Cleric Says Papal Visit Could Help Build Mutual Respect

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ANKARA, Turkey - A leading Muslim cleric said Friday that Pope Benedict XVI's visit to Turkey next week could build confidence and respect between religions despite comments the pontiff made that provoked an outcry in the Islamic world.

Ali Bardakoglu, who as the head of the Religious Affairs Directorate sets Turkey's religious agenda, was one of the first to denounce a speech Benedict gave in September that quoted a 14th century Byzantine emperor describing Islam as a religion spread by the sword.

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Turkish Cleric Says Papal Visit Could Help Build Mutual Respect

"I regard such visits as positive steps between different religions and cultu...

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