fearing islamic immaturity and intransigence
Deutsche Oper Berlin declared that «incalculable» security risks would be posed by staging Idomeneo so it has cancelled the Mozart production scheduled for november. apparently the security fears stem from possible ridiculous and immature reaction of islamists and perhaps even some ordinary and reasonable muslims to severed heads of jesus and the prophet muhammad that the opera production would feature along with those of buddha and the mythological greek sea god poseidon. Idomeneo deals with the rebellion of man against the deity.this drives me mad! if muslims demand respect to their religion, they must also be prepared to relinquish their thriving thirteenth century attitudes and prejudices as well as accept the freedom of thought, dissent and expression at the heart of real western democracy and society.
note that Berlin's mayor, Klaus Wowereit, said the berlin opera director had made the wrong decision to scrap the production telling the Associated Press that «our ideas about openness, tolerance and freedom must be lived out on the offensive» and that «voluntary self-limitation gives those who fight against our values a confirmation in advance that we will not stand behind them».
germany's interior minister called the cancellation «unacceptable».
note as well that this sad decision closely follows the furore caused by the speech made by Pope Benedict in which he cited an ancient text featuring Muhammad, sparking angry street protests round the world.
source: the beeb.
Labels: Commentary, Politics, Religion
