World's most famous Christian convert forced to cancel trip
"Our authors do not usually face death threats."
(And our governments can't or won't protect us from Muslim bullying and threats.)
Magdi Allam, the former Muslim who provoked an international controversy when he converted to Christianity has cancelled a visit to Spain due to concerns about his safety.
Allam, an Italian journalist and author who was born in Egypt, was scheduled to present the Spanish edition of his book at the San Pablo-CEU University on Wednesday in Madrid. But the author's Spanish publishing house, Ediciones Encuentro, said he had cancelled his visit because authorities could not provide adequate security for him.
Pope Benedict XVI baptised Allam in a highly-publicised ceremony at the Vatican during Easter festivities in Rome in March. His conversion provoked an angry response from Muslim clerics and academics in Italy and the Middle East. The Spanish title of Allam's book is, Conquering Fear - My life against Islamic terrorism and the unconsciousness of the West.
"Magdi Allam's trip to Spain is a state matter for the Italian government," Salgado told AKI. "They spoke to Spanish authorities to coordinate protection measures during his stay." But Salgado told AKI the publishing house had also been contacted by one of the two bodyguards that accompany Allam in Italy.
She said he had asked her firm to change the Christian convert's flight reservation and hotel because of security fears. Salgado said the Italian embassy had then told the publishing house that Allam's visit could not proceed because Spanish authorities could not provide adequate security.
When contacted by AKI on Wednesday, Allam declined to comment on the issue.
The Italian embassy in Madrid was not available for comment on Wednesday.
Allam has long been a controversial figure in Italy for his regular critiques of Islam. In a previous book entitled, Long Live Israel, Allam said "the root of evil is innate in an Islam that is physiologically violent and historically conflictual."
(And our governments can't or won't protect us from Muslim bullying and threats.)
Magdi Allam, the former Muslim who provoked an international controversy when he converted to Christianity has cancelled a visit to Spain due to concerns about his safety.
Allam, an Italian journalist and author who was born in Egypt, was scheduled to present the Spanish edition of his book at the San Pablo-CEU University on Wednesday in Madrid. But the author's Spanish publishing house, Ediciones Encuentro, said he had cancelled his visit because authorities could not provide adequate security for him.
Pope Benedict XVI baptised Allam in a highly-publicised ceremony at the Vatican during Easter festivities in Rome in March. His conversion provoked an angry response from Muslim clerics and academics in Italy and the Middle East. The Spanish title of Allam's book is, Conquering Fear - My life against Islamic terrorism and the unconsciousness of the West.
"Magdi Allam's trip to Spain is a state matter for the Italian government," Salgado told AKI. "They spoke to Spanish authorities to coordinate protection measures during his stay." But Salgado told AKI the publishing house had also been contacted by one of the two bodyguards that accompany Allam in Italy.
She said he had asked her firm to change the Christian convert's flight reservation and hotel because of security fears. Salgado said the Italian embassy had then told the publishing house that Allam's visit could not proceed because Spanish authorities could not provide adequate security.
When contacted by AKI on Wednesday, Allam declined to comment on the issue.
The Italian embassy in Madrid was not available for comment on Wednesday.
Allam has long been a controversial figure in Italy for his regular critiques of Islam. In a previous book entitled, Long Live Israel, Allam said "the root of evil is innate in an Islam that is physiologically violent and historically conflictual."
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