Premium
This is an archive article published on March 27, 2008

Pope faces flak for baptism of prominent convert

A Muslim scholar involved in talks at the Vatican to improve dialogue between Catholicism and Islam says Pope Benedict...

google-preferred-btn
.

A Muslim scholar involved in talks at the Vatican to improve dialogue between Catholicism and Islam says Pope Benedict XVI’s baptism of a prominent convert from Islam was a deliberately “provocative” act.

Aref Ali Nayed says the baptism was done at an “unfortunate” time because of Catholic-Muslim tensions.

The pope baptised Egyptian-born Magdi Allam in globally televised Easter vigil service in St Peter’s Basilica. Allam is a TV and newspaper commentator on terrorism and Islamic issues. Nayed made his comments on Tuesday. He is the director of Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Center in Amman, Jordan.

Latest Comment
Post Comment
Read Comments
Advertisement
Express shorts
Azam Khan
SP leader Azam Khan walks out of jail after 23 months, hundreds of supporters welcome him
Cities11 min ago

Senior Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan, who is facing multiple cases, walked out of the Sitapur jail today after 23 months. He was scheduled to be released early Tuesday morning, but it was delayed due to impending court proceedings. Hundreds of supporters gathered outside the Sitapur jail, waiting for the SP leader to walk out of prison.

View all shorts
Live Blog

Photos

In pics: From concept supercars to electronic SUV's: Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025 was all about innovation
In Pics: From Concept Supercars to Electric SUVs – Innovation at Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025
Top Stories
Water-logged streets across Shyambazar amid Durga Puja preparations.
CitiesAt least 7 dead as overnight heavy rain cripples Kolkata
Azam Khan
CitiesSP leader Azam Khan walks out of Sitapur jail, welcomed by hundreds
Vicky Kaushal and Katrina Kaif confirm pregnancy
EntertainmentKatrina Kaif, Vicky Kaushal announce pregnancy; Katrina flaunts baby bump in new photo: 'The best chapter of our lives'
Singer Zubeen Garg Funeral: The singer's body was brought to the cremation ground from the Arjun Bhogeswar Baruah Sports Complex, accompanied by a final procession attended by thousands of mourners.
EntertainmentZubeen Garg funeral: Final rites of Assam's beloved singer held with full state honours, thousands in attendance
Woman walks out of cab without paying Rs 132
TrendingWoman walks out of cab without paying after drop-off altercation, driver’s response goes viral: 'Rs 132 se main ameer nhi ban rha'
Calling it a "blessing in disguise" for India, Kamakoti highlighted how the move could serve as a catalyst for research and innovation within the country (Image source: @ANI/X)
Trending‘Craze for going to the US is gone’: IIT Madras director calls Trump’s H-1B visa fee hike a ‘blessing in disguise’
Pakistan opener Sahibzada Farhan (L) holds his bat like a gun; pacer Haris Rauf mimics a crashing aircraft, ostensibly referring to his country's air strikes during the recent hostilities with India. (AP)
Sports‘Crashing planes’, gunshots with bat: India-Pakistan game was all except cricket
In a broader perspective, they could be T20I cricket's most destructive opening pair, an irrepressible bond sculpted by friendship and familiarity. Like Langer and Hayden, or Frodo and Sam of JR Tolkein’s Lord of the Rings, or the Woodies in tennis, Flanagan and Allan in music. (AP Photo)
SportsHow Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill became T20I's most destructive opening pair
C Raja Mohan writes: On its 80th birthday, and after Trump, a question: Whose UN is it anyway?
OpinionOn its 80th birthday, and after Trump, a question: Whose UN is it anyway?
Termed as GST Bachat Utsav by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday, the rate rationalisation is meant to leave more disposable income in the hands of people
ExplainedAs GST 2.0 kicks in: what changes for consumers and industry
Here are 5 common mistakes you might make during fasting
LifestyleFrom skipping protein to assuming all fruits are healthy: 5 common mistakes people make during fasting
According to previous reports, the OnePlus 15 will come in titanium, black, and purple. However, the most recent picture shows the flagship handset in white. (Image: X/Alvin)
TechnologyOnePlus 15 leaked ahead of launch? New device spotted with unique design
Advertisement
Must Read
Sports‘Crashing planes’, gunshots with bat: India-Pakistan game was all except cricket
Pakistan opener Sahibzada Farhan (L) holds his bat like a gun; pacer Haris Rauf mimics a crashing aircraft, ostensibly referring to his country's air strikes during the recent hostilities with India. (AP)
SportsHow Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill became T20I's most destructive opening pair
In a broader perspective, they could be T20I cricket's most destructive opening pair, an irrepressible bond sculpted by friendship and familiarity. Like Langer and Hayden, or Frodo and Sam of JR Tolkein’s Lord of the Rings, or the Woodies in tennis, Flanagan and Allan in music. (AP Photo)
SportsParis St Germain and France forward Ousmane Dembele wins 2025 Ballon d'Or
Dembele is the sixth Frenchman to have won the award, with the most recent Ballon d'Or winner from the country being Karim Benzema in 2022. (AP Photo)
TechnologyOnePlus 15 leaked ahead of launch? New device spotted with unique design
According to previous reports, the OnePlus 15 will come in titanium, black, and purple. However, the most recent picture shows the flagship handset in white. (Image: X/Alvin)
Facebook introduces AI-powered Dating Assistant, Meet Cute feature
The dating assistant chatbot has been designed to help users to find matches that are closer to what the user is looking for. (Image: Facebook)
TechnologyNvidia to invest up to $100 billion in OpenAI, linking two artificial intelligence titans
Nvidia will start delivering hardware as soon as late 2026, with the first gigawatt of computing power to be deployed in the second half of that year on its upcoming platform, named Vera Rubin. (Image: Reuters)
LifestyleFrom skipping protein to assuming all fruits are healthy: 5 common mistakes people make during fasting
Here are 5 common mistakes you might make during fasting
Advertisement
Buzzing Now
TrendingWoman walks out of cab without paying after drop-off altercation, driver’s response goes viral: 'Rs 132 se main ameer nhi ban rha'
Woman walks out of cab without paying Rs 132
Trending‘Craze for going to the US is gone’: IIT Madras director calls Trump’s H-1B visa fee hike a ‘blessing in disguise’
Calling it a "blessing in disguise" for India, Kamakoti highlighted how the move could serve as a catalyst for research and innovation within the country (Image source: @ANI/X)
Trending‘Heart-touching scene’: Zubeen Garg’s wife brings pet dogs to coffin in emotional funeral scene; video emerges
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma shared the moment on X writing, “It is often said that dogs are a man’s best friend, and if dogs love you, you are a great man" (Image source: @himantabiswa/X)
Trending‘Competition vanished overnight’: Ex-Meta employee reveals 88% of team had H-1B visas, calls Trump’s move opportunity for Americans
Zach Wilson linked his experience to the impact of recent immigration policy changes, specifically US President Donald Trump’s newly announced executive order imposing a $100,000 fee on H-1B visa sponsors (Representative image/Pexels)
Trending'The worst is about to come': Noted paediatrician highlights dangers of AI for children
Dr Samir Dalwai, a noted developmental and behavioural paediatrician, recently explained how AI is affecting children (Representative image/Pexels)
Sep 23: Latest News
Advertisement