Lord Carey, the former Archbishop of Canterbury, has voiced wide-ranging criticisms of Muslim culture and politics despite being co-chair of an international group committed to dialogue between Muslims and Christians.
He attacked what he sees as the failure of most mainstream Muslim leaders to condemn suicide bombers.
"Sadly, apart from a few courageous examples, very few Muslim leaders condemn clearly and unconditionally the evil of the suicide bombers who kill innocent people," Carey declared in a speech made at Rome's Gregorian University on 25 March.
Carey*s remarks in Rome were condemned by the Muslim League of Britain, a group representing the country*s Islamic community.
"Lord Carey should be well aware that mainstream Muslim organizations have consistently condemned terrorist acts of all kinds," said secretary-general Iqbal Sacranie, noting that the Muslim League reflects the views of about 400 affiliated groups, and asserting that its statements are often ignored by the British media.
Sacranie told ENI he was "dismayed but also surprised" by Carey*s statement. "I know of his commitment to dialogue [with Muslims] so this monologue has come as a bolt from the blue."
The former archbishop, who was leader of the world*s 70 million Anglicans until 2002, said the Middle East and North Africa contained "authoritarian regimes with deeply entrenched leadership * committed to retaining power and privilege". He noted that Islamic theological scholarship had declined over the last 500 years, "leading to strong resistance to modernity".
Carey did, however, call attention to Islam*s historic contributions to world civilisation and stressed that most Muslims are peaceful people who should not be demonised.
The former Anglican leader is co-chair of the newly created Council of 100 Leaders, an offshoot of the Geneva-based World Economic Forum. The council aims to promote understanding and dialogue between the Western and Islamic worlds through its membership of senior political, religious, business, media and opinion leaders.
Carey is also a hereditary member of Britain's upper legislative chamber, the House of Lords.
The former archbishop*s remarks were made days ahead of an international seminar for Muslim and Christian scholars hosted by his successor, Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury.
