SPECIAL: Pope baptizes prominent Muslim

Italy's most prominent Muslim journalist, Magdi Allam, became a Catholic during the Vatican's Easter Vigil.

WASHINGTON (Catholic Online) - Converts from other branches of Christianity, other religions, or from no religious background are traditionally received into the Church at Easter Vigil. This year, during the Vigil at the Vatican, Magdi Allam, a well-known commentator in Rome became a Christian.

Allam was not known as a practicing Muslim and has consistently angered his fellow-Muslims with his criticism of extremist activity and support of Israel. He currently serves as the deputy editor of the Corriere della Sera newspaper, and often writes on Muslim and Arab issues.

"I was never practicing," he told the Il Giornale newspaper. "I never prayed five times a day, facing Mecca. I never fasted during Ramadan." He did, however, make the pilgrimage to Mecca in 1991with his mother, a deeply committed Muslim, as is required of all followers.

News of his conversion did not bring strong reaction from the Muslim community in Italy. The Union of Islamic Communities in Italy called Allam's baptism a personal choice. "He is an adult, free to make his personal choice," according to the group's spokesman, Issedin El Zir, in an interview with the Apcom news agency.

During this year's Easter Vigil the Pople Baptized seven adults among those being received.

Allam received death threats for his pro-Israel stance and has even calling Israel a paradigm of right to life. In 2006, Allam was a co-winner, with three other journalists, of the $1 million Dan David prize for "his ceaseless work in fostering understanding and tolerance between cultures." The prize was named for the Israeli entrepreneur of the same name.

Allam is married to a Catholic and has a young son. He also has two adult children from a prior marriage. The journalist told Il Giornali that he would have no problem converting to Christianity.

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