Ok, here’s some quotes to demonstrate that some Muslims ARE speaking out in favor of the pope. (This was written BEFORE today’s apology.):
"Turkey’s top Islamic cleric, Religious Affairs Directorate head Ali Bardakoglu, welcomed the Vatican statement.
“He says that he respects Islam and didn’t want to hurt the feelings of Muslims. I find that a civilized position,” said Bardakoglu in an interview posted on the Web site of Germany’s Der Spiegel magazine."
and…
British Muslims sought to calm the situation.
““We welcome his apology and we hope now we can work together and build bridges. At the same time we would condemn all forms of violent demonstration,” Muhammad Umar, chairman of Britain’s Ramadhan Foundation, a youth organization, told Sky News.”
From Al-Jazeera:
Ismail Haniya, the Palestinian prime minister, called on Palestinians on Sunday to refrain from sectarian strife.
“All Palestinian citizens must prevent all harm to all Christian churches on Palestinian land. Our Christian brothers are citizens of Palestine. They are Palestinians,” he said.
I will also add that several Muslims posted editorials on Al-Jazeera denouncing the violence and explaining the full statement of the pope.