In the Open Letter, the 38 signatories wrote that they wanted to “point out some errors in the way you mentioned Islam…as well as some mistakes in the assertions you put forward.” They went on to state that they appreciated the Pope's assurance that the quotation he cited did not reflect his personal opinion about Islam, and that in a subsequent meeting with ambassadors from Muslim countries he had expressed “total and profound respect for all Muslims.”

The Muslim scholars, who came from such countries as Syria, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Egypt, Malaysia, Indonesia, India and the United States, noted that adherents of Christianity and Islam account for more than 55 percent of the world’s population, making the relationship between the two communities “the most important factor in contributing to meaningful peace around the world.”

The scholars added that they shared the Pope’s “desire for frank and sincere dialogue, and recognize its importance in an increasingly interconnected world.” As such, they wrote, “we hope to continue to build peaceful and friendly relationships based upon mutual respect, justice, and what is common in essence in our shared Abrahamic tradition, particularly ‘the two greatest commandments’” to love God and one’s neighbor.

Mohammed Khan, managing editor of the Amman-based magazine Islamica, which posted a copy of the Open Letter on its web site, said in an interview that the Vatican has not yet officially replied to the letter but has informally expressed a desire to further dialogue with Muslim scholars. The letter now has more than 100 Muslim signatories, according to Sohail Nakhooda, Islamica’s editor-in-chief.