Magdi Cristiano Allam مجدي علام | |
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| Born | Magdi Muhammad Allam 22 April 1952 |
| Occupation(s) | Politician, journalist, author, columnist |
| Political party | Union of the Centre (2008–2010) I Love Italy (2010–2014) Brothers of Italy (2014–2015) |
| Spouse | Valentina Colombo |
| Children | 3 |
| Website | magdicristianoallam.it |
Magdi Cristiano Allam[1] (Arabic: مجدي علام Majdī ʿAllām; born 22 April 1952), is an Egyptian-Italian journalist and politician, noted for his criticism of Islam and his articles on the relations between Western culture and the Islamic world.
Allam converted from Islam to Catholicism during the Vatican's 2008 Easter vigil service presided over by Pope Benedict XVI.[2] He served as a regional councillor in the Italian region of Basilicata after being elected in 2010, and was a Member of the European Parliament for Italy from 2009 to 2014.
He has lived under police protection for many years due to death threats from Muslims.[3]
- ^ At his baptism he chose Cristiano to be his middle name (see "Buona Pasqua a tutti: ricevere il Battesimo dal Papa nel Giorno della Risurrezione è il dono più grande della vita!" (in Italian). Personal Website of Magdi Allam. Archived from the original on 9 March 2008. Retrieved 23 March 2008.)
- ^ "Pope baptizes prominent Muslim editor". Associated Press. 22 March 2008. Retrieved 22 March 2008.
- ^ "Muslim convert baptized by the Pope to marry in the Church". Catholic News Agency. 27 March 2008.