Posted on 03/23/2008 11:25:41 AM PDT by Free ThinkerNY
Muslim Converted By Pope Says Life In More Danger
March 23, 2008
By Philip Pullella
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - An outspoken Muslim author and critic of Islamic fundamentalism who converted to Christianity at the hands of Pope Benedict said on Sunday he realized he was in greater danger but he has no regrets. ADVERTISEMENT
"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."
Allam, who is a strong supporter of Israel and who an Israeli newspaper once called a "Muslim Zionist," has lived under police protection following threats against him, particularly after he criticized Iran's position on Israel.
His conversion, which he called "the happiest day of my life," came just two days after al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden accused the pope of being part of a "new crusade" against Islam.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
Well said and thorough. Thank you.
I thought his point very clear. This man wished to convert. The Holy Father let it be known that he is willing to risk all to allow that.
Remember the only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.
Bin Laden has made it clear where he stands. B16 just let the terrorist know where he stands.
Vivi PaPa
The Church did nothing to publicize it. The announcement came from the press.
CNN will probably celebrate if the Muslims kill this convert.
Why should the pope be concerned about offending the koran animals,They certainly don't care about offending the rest of the civilized world with their behavior
Wrong - ONLY converting from Islam to Christianity can get you killed.
Pope Benedict should make this a weekly event.
And let the converts have their say.
CNN doesn’t like Christians, particularly Catholics, anyway, and they’re probably almost as upset about the fact that he is a converted journalist as the fact that he is a converted former Muslim!
The Soviets (Communists) are/were pure materialists; i.e., they only care about what’s available to them in this world, that is being atheists, the next world is nonexistent. Therefore all that was precious was in this world, and in the end, couldn’t be risked on mutually assured destruction through a nuclear exchange. The mohammedans on the other hand, are both, and are willing to do as martyrs to get the delights of this world in the next. Per their perverse beliefs, they gain heaven (paradise) automatically as martyrs in war against non-mohammedans. Not an easy belief system to take out, without a shot. By all means, as Christians, violence as a last resort, and that has been usually the case with these thugs.
Kinda like being black and picked for an award in North Philadelphia.
Why is it that Obama feels no similar fear? Is it that Muslims don’t believe that his Christianity is genuine? Why do you think that is?
Not just CNN. Fox’s Centanni (sp?—one of the two Fox employees who went through a mock-conversion to Islam after being kidnapped in Iraq) agreed that Allam’s public baptism might be provocative.
That's very interesting! I didn't know that - thanks for calling our attention to this fact.
I read the letter that Allam wrote and one thing he says is that in modern times the Church has actually not made enough of an effort to convert Muslims. He's absolutely right.
One of the Sunday morning shows. Thought at the time it was most ironic that Centanni, of ALL Fox reporters!, happened to be at the studio end of that story.
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