Many are now trying to parse the racism & Islamophobia of the Dalai Lama when the meaning of his repugnant words are crystal clear. Whilst wars, occupations, & genocides are being perpetrated against Muslims (including those in African countries) & whilst thousands of Muslim & African refugees are drowning in the Mediterranean Sea, his comments are nothing less than a racist & Islamophobic incitement to violence against them & can be interpreted as an endorsement of those wars, occupations, & genocides.
His stature does not shelter him from criticism any more than the stature of Pope Francis did him when he collaborated with the Burmese genocidaires in the midst of the Rohingya genocide & with Israel despite the genocide of Palestinians.