Muslims Question Vatican Baptism of Islamic Critic

March 24, 2008

Author: Tom Heneghan

Source: Canwest/The Gazette

Wire Service: Reuters

http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/story.html?id=dc8f7b4d-4759-442e-b5b8-a4af67bd9077&k=2238

The Easter baptism of an Italian Muslim by Pope Benedict was a provocative act that raises questions about the Vatican's approach to Islam, a leading participant in Christian-Muslim dialogue said on Monday.

Aref Ali Nayed, a key figure in a group of over 200 Muslim scholars launching discussion forums with Christian groups, said the Vatican had turned the baptism of Egyptian-born journalist Magdi Allam into "a triumphalist tool for scoring points."

He said the Vatican should distance itself from a searing attack on Islam that Allam published on Sunday in the Milan daily Corriere della Sera, where he is deputy director.