Fear of Muslim Anger Halts Opera

Nonphixion · 09-27-2006, 10:58 AM

BERLIN, Germany (AP) -- A leading opera house called off a production of Mozart's "Idomeneo" that features the severed head of the Prophet Mohammed, setting off a furious debate Tuesday over Islam, freedom of speech and the role of art.

The furor is the latest in Europe over religious sensitivities -- following cartoons of the prophet first published in a Danish newspaper and recent remarks by Pope Benedict XVI decrying holy war.

Kirsten Harms, director of Berlin's Deutsche Oper, announced "with great regret" that she had decided to cancel the three year old production after state security officials warned it could provoke dangerous reactions in the current politically charged climate.

After its premiere in 2003, the production by Hans Neuenfels drew widespread criticism over a scene in which King Idomeneo presents the severed heads not only of the Greek god of the sea, Poseidon, but also of Mohammed, Jesus and Buddha.

The severed heads are an addition by director Neuenfels to the 225-year-old opera, which was last performed by the company in March 2004.

Harms defended her decision, which she described as "weighing artistic freedom and freedom of a theater ... against the question of security for people's lives."

But the move immediately provoked strong reactions across Germany.

Outraged politicians called the decision to pull the production "crazy" and "a fatal signal" of caving into extremism. Response from Germany's Islamic community was mixed, with some praising the decision and others calling on Muslims to accept the role of provocation in art.

The leader of Germany's Islamic Council welcomed the move, saying a depiction of Mohammed with a severed head "could certainly offend Muslims."

But in an interview with German radio, Ali Kizilkaya added: "I think it is horrible that one has to be afraid ... That is not the right way to open dialogue."

The leader of Germany's Turkish community said it was time Muslims accepted freedom of expression in art.

"This is about art, not about politics," Kenan Kolat told Bavarian Radio. "We should not make art dependent on religion -- then we are back in the Middle Ages."

Neuenfels has insisted his staging not be altered, saying the scene where the king presents the severed heads represents his protest against "any form of organized religion or its founders."

"I stand behind my production and will not change it," Neuenfels told the Berliner Morgenpost in its Tuesday edition.

The opera house's decision comes after the German-born pope infuriated Muslims by quoting the words of a 14th-century Byzantine emperor who characterized some of the teachings of the Prophet Mohammed as "evil and inhuman," particularly "his command to spread by the sword the faith."

Earlier this year, violent protests erupted across the Muslim world after a Danish newspaper published 12 cartoons depicting Muhammad. The caricatures were reprinted by dozens of newspapers and Web sites in Europe and elsewhere, often in the name of freedom of expression.

Islamic law is interpreted to forbid any depiction of Mohammed for fear it could lead to idolatry.

"We know the consequences of the conflict over the (Mohammed) caricatures," Deutsche Oper said in a statement. "We believe that needs to be taken very seriously and hope for your support."

Berlin security officials had warned Harms that staging the opera could "in its originally produced form .... pose an incalculable security risk to the public and employees."

But Germany's interior minister condemned the cancellation.

"That is crazy," said Wolfgang Schaeuble, the country's top security official, speaking to reporters in Washington, D.C. "This is unacceptable."

It is not only Muslims who have been offended by depictions of religion in art.

Last month Madonna sparked criticism from some Roman Catholics in Germany for a show that staged a mock crucifixion. Mel Gibson's 2004 movie, "The Passion of Christ" met with disapproval from some Catholics and some Jews. In 2004, a Birmingham, England, theater canceled its run of "Behzti" after a violent protest by members of the Sikh community.

Still, many in normally open and tolerant Berlin, which has become a home for cutting edge and often contentious artistic productions, cautioned against compromising on issues of freedom of speech and art.

"Our ideas about openness, tolerance and freedom must be lived on the offensive. Voluntary self-limitation gives those who fight against our values a confirmation in advance that we will not stand behind them," said Mayor Klaus Wowereit.

Bernd Neumann, the federal government's top cultural official, said that "problems cannot be solved by keeping silent."

"When the concern over possible protests leads to self-censorship, then the democratic culture of free speech becomes endangered."

CNN.com - Muslim anger fear halts opera - Sep 27, 2006

Stylerod · 09-27-2006, 11:01 AM

Harms defended her decision, which she described as "weighing artistic freedom and freedom of a theater ... against the question of security for people's lives."

Wow. That is sad.

Publius · 09-27-2006, 11:04 AM

I can see why they would be outraged ... Christians would be up in arms too if someone added Christ being decapitated to a production, and given that a lot of Muslims have shown a penchant for going to the violent extreme in their protesting, I can almost understand them being shut down. That said, I totally disagree with the state shutting them down, even though to me it seems that this addition is just an attempt to spark controversy.

6SpeedTA95 · 09-27-2006, 11:18 AM

Originally Posted by Publius

I can see why they would be outraged ... Christians would be up in arms too if someone added Christ being decapitated to a production, and given that a lot of Muslims have shown a penchant for going to the violent extreme in their protesting, I can almost understand them being shut down. That said, I totally disagree with the state shutting them down, even though to me it seems that this addition is just an attempt to spark controversy.

Christ and Buddah is decapitated in the same show.

Publius · 09-27-2006, 11:30 AM

Originally Posted by 6SpeedTA95

Christ and Buddah is decapitated in the same show.

And I'm sure there is plenty of outrage.

Phantom · 09-27-2006, 11:49 AM

Originally Posted by Publius

And I'm sure there is plenty of outrage.

there's nothing wrong with outrage, as long as there's no censorship or violence

Publius · 09-27-2006, 11:57 AM

Originally Posted by Phantom

there's nothing wrong with outrage, as long as there's no censorship or violence

I agree. I think the fact that there is threat of violence which is causing censorship is

Diamond Cross · 09-27-2006, 12:07 PM

Lots of idiocy all around.

But to shut something down just because one's offended is worse than being offended, and just selfish bullshit. You're offended, so what. You don't have the right to b lock it from other people who aren't offended who want to see it even if they're retarded. You do not have the right to not be offended, but you do have the right to produce your own work in order to counter the other production or you have the right to change the channel.

Not everybody agrees with you and it's selfish to block it from other people seeing it.

KatKanPlay · 09-27-2006, 12:28 PM

Looks like the terrorists are winning.

slosucks · 09-27-2006, 12:35 PM

so instead of showing disgust and outrage towards the behavior of islam these days, we appease them.....this needs to change now.

dont recall christians rioting when madonna was put up on a cross

ballz2wallz · 09-27-2006, 01:13 PM

Originally Posted by Publius

And I'm sure there is plenty of outrage.

Fear of people being harmed? Hardly...

Notice they are cancelling the show because of fear from muslims, not Christians or buddhists.

ballz2wallz · 09-27-2006, 01:14 PM

Originally Posted by 6SpeedTA95

Christ and Buddah is decapitated in the same show.

Donkey® · 09-27-2006, 01:33 PM

Originally Posted by ballz2wallz

Fear of people being harmed? Hardly...

Notice they are cancelling the show because of fear from muslims, not Christians or buddhists.

That's their fault. THEY are the ones making the decision to shut it down. Self censorship FTL.

Stylerod · 09-27-2006, 01:48 PM

Originally Posted by Donkey®

That's their fault. THEY are the ones making the decision to shut it down. Self censorship FTL.

People died bacause of a comic strip. What happens with a life like beheaded Mohammed? I wouldn't want to be part of that play.

Donkey® · 09-27-2006, 01:51 PM

Originally Posted by Stylerod

People died bacause of a comic strip. What happens with a life like beheaded Mohammed? I wouldn't want to be part of that play.

Who cares? The muslims aren't the ones shutting down the play...that's the point. It's STILL self censorship and blaming muslims for it is stupid.

ballz2wallz · 09-27-2006, 01:53 PM

Originally Posted by Donkey®

Who cares? The muslims aren't the ones shutting down the play...that's the point. It's STILL self censorship and blaming muslims for it is stupid.

Yes, who cares if people were killed over a stupid drawing...

Stylerod · 09-27-2006, 01:54 PM

Originally Posted by Donkey®

Who cares? The muslims aren't the ones shutting down the play...that's the point. It's STILL self censorship and blaming muslims for it is stupid.

You're right. It's stupid that some Muslims have been so fucking violent when they disagree with something that is drawn or said that people fear for their lives when they think something they are going to do might (and will) offend them.

Donkey® · 09-27-2006, 01:56 PM

Originally Posted by ballz2wallz

Yes, who cares if people were killed over a stupid drawing...

It's funny that you're so concerned about the people that could die in protests over this stupid thing...yet you weren't too concerned when Lebanese citizens were getting blasted by Israel or Iraqis are killing each other and our troops left and right. Again, this isn't taking place in Taliban controlled Afghanistan...if people choose to censor themselves...that's their own problem.

Donkey® · 09-27-2006, 01:57 PM

Originally Posted by Stylerod

You're right. It's stupid that some Muslims have been so fucking violent when they disagree with something that is drawn or said that people fear for their lives when they think something they are going to do might (and will) offend them.

I know. It is totally stupid that people would fear for their lives over something so stupid.

ballz2wallz · 09-27-2006, 01:59 PM

Originally Posted by Donkey®

It's funny that you're so concerned about the people that could die in protests over this stupid thing...yet you weren't too concerned when Lebanese citizens were getting blasted by Israel or Iraqis are killing each other and our troops left and right. Again, this isn't taking place in Taliban controlled Afghanistan...if people choose to censor themselves...that's their own problem.