Pope Benedict's Easter surprise

Magdi Allam is an Italian of Egyptian origin who has been very critical of Islamist terrorist groups and has openly supported Israel. Allam was a non-practicing Muslim, before he converted yesterday in St. Peter's Basilica. Story from the 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.

An Egyptian-born, non-practicing Muslim who is married to a Catholic, Magdi Allam infuriated some Muslims with his books and columns in the newspaper Corriere della Sera newspaper, where he is a deputy editor. He titled one book "Long Live Israel."

As a choir sang, Pope Benedict XVI poured holy water over Allam's head and said a brief prayer in Latin.

"We no longer stand alongside or in opposition to one another," Benedict said in a homily reflecting on the meaning of baptism. "Thus faith is a force for peace and reconciliation in the world: distances between people are overcome, in the Lord we have become close."

Vatican Television zoomed in on Allam, who sat in the front row of the basilica along with six other candidates for baptism. He later received his first Communion.

Allam, 55, told the newspaper Il Giornale in a December interview that his criticism of Palestinian suicide bombing provoked threats on his life in 2003, prompting the Italian government to provide him with a sizable security detail.

[...]

The nighttime Easter vigil service at St. Peter's Basilica marked the period between Good Friday, which commemorates Jesus' crucifixion, and Easter Sunday, which marks his resurrection.

Benedict opened by blessing a white candle, which he then carried down the main aisle of the darkened basilica. Slowly, the pews began to light up as his flame was shared with candles carried by the faithful, until the whole basilica twinkled and the main lights came on.

The pope administers baptism "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," said the Vatican spokesman, the Rev. Federico Lombardi.

I applaud Pope Benedict and the Vatican for having the courage to do this publicly. This conversion certainly sends a symbolic message. By publicly baptizing a former Muslim, Benedict is clearly taking a stand against the harsh treatment converts from Islam face from their own communities. It shows that the Vatican is actually willing to show some strength and conviction in the face of controversy and threats.

The Vatican's relations with the Muslim world are clearly strategic. On the one hand, the Pope will engage in outreach with Muslims. On the other hand, Benedict shows that some things are nonnegotiable (such as the right of people to convert). By reaching out to Muslims, Pope Benedict is showing that he is not just a rabble-rouser looking for trouble. However, actions such as this conversion show that he will fight if necessary. With the recent controversy over the Archbishop of Canterbury's comments regarding acceptance of sharia, it's refreshing to see a Christian leader actually trying to defend Christianity.

In regards to Allam, I deeply respect his decision. He clearly put his life on the line by deciding to convert so publicly in one of the holiest sites in Catholicism. The strength of his convictions is greater than the understandable fear of death all Muslim apostates feel. And that is why I respect him.

(Hat tip: Hot Air)