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| Europe |
| Pope baptises prominent Muslim critic |
| 2008-03-22 |
| POPE Benedict XVI has baptized one of Italy's most prominent and outspoken Muslim commentators at today's Easter Vigil service. Magdi Allam has become a Catholic during the traditional night-time service that takes place between Good Friday and Easter Sunday at St Peter's Basilica. Mr Allam, a columnist for a leading Italian newspaper, is one of Italy's leading commentators on Muslim and Arab affairs, the Associated Press reported. The Vatican said anyone who wishes to convert to Catholicism of their own free will has the right to be baptised. The Pope administered the sacrament "without making any 'difference of people,' that is, considering all equally important before the love of God and welcoming all in the community of the Church". Mr Allam has been a long-time advocate of tolerance over extremism. His criticism of Palestinian suicide bombers reportedly earned him death threats from Hamas. He has written books on living with those threats and on extremism in Italy and supporters say he is a fearless critic of intolerance. A pro-Israel book earned him the title "the new Salman Rushdie". The Vatican announced the high-profile conversion shortly before the long Vigil service started with Benedict XVI blessing a solitary white candle. |
| Posted by:tipper |
| #6 tu3031---LOL!!!!!!!!!! Magdi Allam needs to watch his six. Conversions out of Islam make the extremists go apesh*t. |
| Posted by: Alaska Paul 2008-03-22 23:15 |
| #5 Rage Boy warming up in the bullpen... |
| Posted by: tu3031 2008-03-22 22:21 |
| #4 It'd be more than just funny if pisslam reignited interest in Christianity in europe... |
| Posted by: M. Murcek 2008-03-22 21:54 |
| #3 Fascinating. The Pope, himself! Congratulations to them both, and those to follow. |
| Posted by: trailing wife 2008-03-22 21:10 |
| #2 excellent!...exploding turbans in 5...4...3... |
| Posted by: Frank G 2008-03-22 21:05 |
| #1 Strike one up for the good guys. |
| Posted by: Icerigger 2008-03-22 21:03 |