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Europe
Merkel warns against bowing to fear of Muslim violence
2006-09-28
BERLIN: German Chancellor Angela Merkel warned on Wednesday against bowing to fears of Islamic violence after a Berlin opera house cancelled performances of a Mozart work because of concerns some scenes could enrage Muslims. "We must take care that we do not retreat out of a fear of potentially violent radicals," Merkel was quoted as saying in Hanover's Neue Presse newspaper.
“Self-censorship out of fear is not tolerable.”
"Self-censorship out of fear is not tolerable."

Merkel's comments, which echoed those of other senior German politicians, fuelled a row over the cancellation of Mozart's "Idomeneo" which is overshadowing a government-sponsored conference on Wednesday to promote dialogue with the country's 3.2 million Muslims. Berlin's Deutsche Oper said on Monday it had cancelled performances of the opera, which shows the severed heads of the Prophet Mohammad (PTUI PBUH), Buddha, Jesus and Poseidon, after police warnings that it could pose a "incalculable" security risk. The row comes two weeks after Pope Benedict enraged some Muslims by quoting from a medieval text linking the spread of the Islamic faith to violence.
Posted by:Fred

#12  there is something sad about hoping a bastardization of Mozart's Opera, complete with severed heads of Buddha, Jesus, Poseidon and mohammad will become the symbol behind which we will rally against the Islamists chilling effect on speech. Seems everyone is happy as long as there is plenty of offense to go around. Why do I suspect that Merkel et al would not have stood so tall if they had just severed Mo's head?

Heh, too bad for the director they he got cute and cut off Jesus' and Buddha's head too. Now he may have to go a-head with the play or be forced to hand in his avante guard card.
Posted by: anon   2006-09-28 16:06  

#11  Maybe there is hope, possibly even for both sides, but I'm not holding my breath. The show must go on!
Posted by: Zenster   2006-09-28 15:11  

#10  Key bit from Nimble Spemble's link

A leak of the original police report to Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa warned that the decapitations scene 'might be associated in some Muslim circles with videos made by militant Iraqi Islamists of people's heads being cut off.'

Muslim organizations in Germany have been embarrassed by the crisis, saying it makes them appear like bullies. A range of Muslim leaders appealed this week for the production to go ahead.
Posted by: trailing wife   2006-09-28 14:47  

#9  This is a watershed moment. This situation represents a critical choice point for all of europe.....

Produce the play and confirm western values. Not a cure, but a shot in the arm, teaching the muslim commmunity a clear lesson about the nature of western culture . . .

- or -

Don't produce it and confirm the power and influence of islam over the west, a proposition that will undoubtedly increase the momentum toward Eurabia

It's way more than just a play. It's the canary in the coal mine.
Posted by: PlanetDan   2006-09-28 12:37  

#8  
Pressure grows for Berlin theatre to reinstate banned opera
Posted by: Nimble Spemble   2006-09-28 11:41  

#7  #2 I do welcome a woman with spine.
Posted by Captain America 2006-09-28 01:16|| Front Page|| ||Comments Top ...... and six stiens of Paulaner headed to my table.

Posted by: Besoeker   2006-09-28 11:03  

#6  Merkel's smart; she just inoculated Germany against Islamic bullshit. But that will not save West Eurabia.
Posted by: wxjames   2006-09-28 09:49  

#5  Brecht had problems taking the Communists.
Posted by: JFM   2006-09-28 08:24  

#4  ...Makes you wonder what Berthold Brecht ('The Threepenny Opera' and a bunch of very biting stuff about between the wars Germany)would have done with this - he had no problem taking on the Nazis, the Muzzies would have given him enough material for a dozen musicals..

Mike

Mike
Posted by: Mike Kozlowski   2006-09-28 06:25  

#3  Gaten slammen after horsen trotten.
Posted by: Zenster   2006-09-28 06:22  

#2  I do welcome a woman with spine.
Posted by: Captain America   2006-09-28 01:16  

#1  Deutsche Oper Berlin

Aktuelles

Heute auf dem Spielplan:
19:30 Uhr La sonnambula

Spielplanänderung IDOMENEO im November
Die Deutsche Oper Berlin gibt mit großem Bedauern bekannt, dass sie die im November 2006 geplante Wiederaufnahme von Mozarts IDOMENEO aus dem Spielplan genommen hat. Stattdessen wird es am 5. Nov. und am 8. Nov. ... mehr

We shall see.
Posted by: Besoeker   2006-09-28 01:10  

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