Pope Benedict XVI Baptizes Italian Muslim Convert
- Posted by Beth on March 23rd, 2008 filed in Cool link of the day, General, Insult the Islamotards, Video holidays · religion
Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.
–Matthew 28:19-20
Welcome to the family, Christian Magdi Allam.
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - A Muslim author and critic of Islamic fundamentalism who was baptized a Catholic by Pope Benedict said on Sunday Islam is “physiologically violent” and he is now in great danger because of his conversion.
“I realize what I am going up against but I will confront my fate with my head high, with my back straight and the interior strength of one who is certain about his faith,” said Magdi Allam.
In a surprise move on Saturday night, the pope baptized the 55-year-old, Egyptian-born Allam at an Easter eve service in St Peter’s Basilica that was broadcast around the world.
The conversion of Allam to Christianity — he took the name “Christian” for his baptism — was kept secret until the Vatican disclosed it in a statement less than an hour before it began.
Writing in Sunday’s edition of the leading Corriere della Sera, the newspaper of which he is a deputy director, Allam said: “… the root of evil is innate in an Islam that is physiologically violent and historically conflictual.”
Link to Google-translated version added.
AP: Italy’s most prominent Muslim, an iconoclastic writer who condemned Islamic extremism and defended Israel, converted to Catholicism Saturday in a baptism by the pope at a Vatican Easter service.
Commentary from Michael Ledeen at Pajamas Media: Magdi, Ayaan, Salman, and Us.
UPDATE: More video.
Mister Prickly says:
Posted this at my place, too. Gotta admit, Magdi Allam’s got a big brass pair.
Lord Bitememan says:
He’s Already receiving death threats.
Chris says:
Yeah, unfortunately, his life span probably just shortened a whole bunch. Those peaceful muslims get upset a bit when you leave them.
raz0r says:
Countin’ down the days. He is not long for this world.