Part A

I. Pope baptizes prominent Muslim, http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1205420757780&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull. March 23, 2008.

II. A prominent Muslim was baptised a christian by the Pope this Easter at the Vatican. After years of condemning Islamic extremists and defending Israel, Magdi Allam has finally decided to become a Christian once and for all. Allam has many Muslims outraged not only that he is an Islamic man to convert to Christianity but many are outraged by his columns and books that are published daily. The fifty-five year old man is married to a Roman Catholic woman and has two young and two older children. Allam has been an important figure in news and media about Islamic extremists and the war on terror for years. He believes that Iran is the biggest threat "to safety and stability in the world", he also said that he decided to convert to Christianity after receiving death threats.

III.
A) This article relates to the theme of Cultural and intellectual developments and interactions. It has to do with the interactions of different cultures and religions and ultimately the blending of both.
B) This issue goes back centuries, there has always been tension between Musilims and Catholics and this article shows how the two may be able to coexist peacefully. Although there is some controversy about a Muslim becoming a Christian after all those years of opposition there really should be no reason why anyone should question this mans decision to convert from one religion to another.
C) This article was written by the Associated Press and an individual writer, Khaled Abu Toameh. The Associated Press is an outside news company but the individual writer sounds like he could be of Muslim roots and that could effect the way that he views this issue.
D) There is not much evidence in the article that the author has been influenced in a way that would effect the way that he writes the article but because of the authors name it is possible that he is of Muslim heritage and that perhaps may influence him to favor one side of the issue.
E) I think to help better understand the impact of Allam's decision to covert to Christianity we should hear from a Muslim citizen who is aware of Allam's work and may have an opinion on the issue.
F) I think that this is a good thing in a way but it is also something controversial that is just one more thing that both sides of the matter could argue about. I think that Allam was fully aware of the impact and controversy that would be caused by his actions. Some might call this a "stunt" and that he converted for all the wrong reasons. I hope that that is not the case and I think people from any background will have many different opinions on the issue.