The Question: Pope Benedict's recent baptism of a well-known Italian Muslim has prompted criticism in much of the Islamic world. Has Benedict done enough to build bridges to Islam?

Looking at this problem as an outsider who is neither a Christian nor a Muslim I feel that the tensions between the two religious groups go back into history when each tried to convert as many people of the world as possible to their religion. This competition resulted in bitterness and even violence. Although in modern times Christianity claims that it no longer proselytizes as in the past the reality is quite different. In India, for instance, even today Christian priests and activists are known to lure poor people into their fold with promises of food, shelter and a better life. Islam does the same causing a backlash from the majority Hindu community.

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