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Opera featuring Mohammed's head may take place after German leader intervenes
The Daily Mail ^ | Sept 27

Posted on 09/27/2006 4:30:50 PM PDT by ConservativeMan55

Germany's conservative Chancellor Angela Merkel yesterday led political and arts world uproar at the scrapping of a Mozart opera that features the head of the prophet Mohammed rolling across the stage.

The performances were cancelled amid fears the scene could trigger violence among the nation’s Muslim community.

But Mrs Merkel denounced "self-censorship out of fear" as unacceptable, reflecting a mood of national indignation that was not limited to the arts set but cut right across all social lines.

And last night there were hopes that increased government pressure might get the show put back on.

A groundbreaking "integration" summit between government ministers and leaders of Germany's three million Muslims held yesterday could lead to the production being staged at a later date.

Interior minister Wolfgang Schaeuble said all present had agreed that the shelved opera "Idomeneo” should go ahead - and they might even all go together to see it.

At the Deutsche Oper in Berlin a spokesman said the company was considering developments. Hours before Schaeuble’s statement the gulf between western liberalism and Islamic intransigence appeared as wide as ever as the leader of Germany's Islamic Council welcomed the ban, saying a depiction of Mohammed with a severed head "could certainly offend Muslims."

The Deutsche Oper announced on Tuesday that it had scratched the Mozart opera "Idomeneo" from its programme this season because one scene – the severed head of the prophet Mohammed rolling on to the stage – risked triggering an "incalculable security risk" for the theatre.

It feared the kind of violent outbursts that erupted earlier this month when the Pope offended Muslims in a speech which quoted a medieval writer's view of Islam as "evil and inhuman."

His words led to worldwide protests and a nun was shot dead in Somalia. "To avoid endangering the public and its employees, the Deutsche Oper in Berlin has decided to refrain from showing 'Idomeneo' in November," the opera house said.

As early as July, police officials had warned of the security risk associated with the opera. A risk analysis was prepared, which formed the basis of the opera house's decision to cancel "Idomeneo."

"We have advised that a performance could result in disturbances," said police spokesman Bernhard Schodrowski.

In the epilogue, Idomeneo, the king of Crete, comes on stage with a bloody sack in his hand. He then pulls the heads of Poseidon, Jesus, Buddha and Mohammed out of the sack and places them triumphantly on four chairs. The opera, set in the capital of Crete just after the Trojan War, addresses human resistance to making sacrifices to the gods. Mozart's original version premiered in 1781.

Four performances were planned for the production in November but will be replaced by "The Marriage of Figaro" and "La Traviata." The country’s artistic and cultural elite are outraged – along with ordinary people who feel minority sensibilities should not interfere with a cultural icon as big as Mozart.

They are emotions shared by Mrs. Merkel on the day of Germany’s first government-sponsored summit about the country’s three million Muslims and their integration.

"We must be careful that we do not flinch out of fear of radicals who are prepared to use violence," she said. "Self-censorship for reasons of fear is not acceptable. It should only be allowed when it is done responsibly within a genuine and completely violence-free dialogue of cultures."

Mr Schaeuble, ahead of yesterday’s conference aimed at bringing Muslims and Christians closer together, branded the decision to ditch the opera "crazy."

The delegates from Germany’s Muslim communities – including those from Hamburg where the Islamic cell which carried out the 9/11 atrocities was based – met with the interior minister in Berlin’s Charlottenburg Palace all day yesterday.

"Three million Muslims live in Germany. They are a part of Germany's present and future, just as Islam is, after all, a part of Europe," he said.

One of his express aims is to get imams educated in Germany and have their sermons conducted in German – a recommendation from the secret services to stop coded messages about terror being passed on to worshippers.

He said the conference was not just about "niceties," adding: "We were not here to exchange pleasantries but to achieve results."

Last night he said the meeting had been "intensive."

"It would be a signal of dishonesty if there hadn't been clashes," Mr Schaeuble said, adding that the atmosphere was constructive.

"That is what distinguishes democratic culture."


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; Front Page News; Germany; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: deathcult; germany; headsroll; idomeneo; letsroll; mohamed; opera
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1 posted on 09/27/2006 4:30:51 PM PDT by ConservativeMan55
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To: ConservativeMan55

bttt!

Go Merkel!


2 posted on 09/27/2006 4:31:10 PM PDT by ConservativeMan55
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To: ConservativeMan55

I think heads are gonna roll on this one!!


3 posted on 09/27/2006 4:31:47 PM PDT by ConservativeMan55
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To: ConservativeMan55

4 posted on 09/27/2006 4:32:41 PM PDT by ConservativeMan55
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To: ConservativeMan55

Are the Euros finally starting to grow a backbone? Its too much to even hope for.


5 posted on 09/27/2006 4:33:41 PM PDT by rbg81 (1)
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To: ConservativeMan55
""We must be careful that we do not flinch out of fear of radicals who are prepared to use violence," she said. "Self-censorship for reasons of fear is not acceptable. It should only be allowed when it is done responsibly within a genuine and completely violence-free dialogue of cultures."

Bravo!!
6 posted on 09/27/2006 4:34:06 PM PDT by ConservativeMan55
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To: rbg81

I think they're starting to get the picture that if they don't fight back we'll all be living under sharia law soon.


7 posted on 09/27/2006 4:35:05 PM PDT by ConservativeMan55
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To: ConservativeMan55

It's about time a European leader stood up to these fascist thugs.

You notice no one has said a peep about the heads of Buddha or Jesus or Poseidon (although you'd think sting rays everywhere would be outraged)


8 posted on 09/27/2006 4:35:38 PM PDT by Dinah Lord (fighting the Islamofascist Jihad - one keystroke at a time...)
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To: ConservativeMan55
a Mozart opera that features the head of the prophet Mohammed rolling across the stage.

I'll bet it sends attendance records.

Here's a dichotomy: when you wish to immerse a Crucifix in a foul liquid and call it art, you can get state backing.

When you wish to merely dramatize the rolling of Muhammed's head, the state says, "no."

Go figure.

9 posted on 09/27/2006 4:35:39 PM PDT by the invisib1e hand ("...peace is the result of victory...")
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To: rbg81

euro women have always had more b@lls than euro men. recently at least.


10 posted on 09/27/2006 4:36:31 PM PDT by the invisib1e hand ("...peace is the result of victory...")
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To: the invisib1e hand
I'll bet it sends attendance records.

sets attendance records...

11 posted on 09/27/2006 4:37:16 PM PDT by the invisib1e hand ("...peace is the result of victory...")
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To: the invisib1e hand

If it ever gets shown


12 posted on 09/27/2006 4:38:43 PM PDT by ConservativeMan55
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To: ConservativeMan55
Germany's conservative Chancellor Angela Merkel yesterday led political and arts world uproar at the scrapping of a Mozart opera that features the head of the prophet Mohammed rolling across the stage.

The next riots will be in Germany! Can you imagine all the wild eye'd Muslims around the world burning our flag again? LOL!

13 posted on 09/27/2006 4:40:22 PM PDT by NRA2BFree
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To: ConservativeMan55
"The performances were cancelled amid fears the scene could trigger violence among the nation’s Muslim community."

Eating a banana could trigger violence in the muslim community.
Is there ANYTHING that doesn't trigger violence in the muslim community?
How about some violence upon the muslim community... since thats all they seem to know.
14 posted on 09/27/2006 4:40:28 PM PDT by ConservativeMan55
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To: NRA2BFree

Yeah it will be Israel's and America's fault that these people decided to make this play.


15 posted on 09/27/2006 4:41:22 PM PDT by ConservativeMan55
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To: ConservativeMan55

This woman has balls.

Merkel for President!


16 posted on 09/27/2006 4:42:51 PM PDT by Poundstone
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To: Poundstone

We've got an opening in 08!

Fox is showing pieces of the play now!

It's amazing how muslims blame everyone else.

The pope, israel, bush, america, other muslims, palestinians, lol.


17 posted on 09/27/2006 4:44:22 PM PDT by ConservativeMan55
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To: ConservativeMan55

Is it true that Angela also called for a cartoon contest?


18 posted on 09/27/2006 4:48:43 PM PDT by Savage Beast ( 9/11 was never repeated thanks to President George W. Bush.)
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To: ConservativeMan55
What's needed is a worldwide movement to portray Mohammad in ways that don't meet Koranic approval. That way, Islamofascists couldn't just go after one portrayal without a dozen others popping up.

They don't even have to be negative portrayals -- in fact, there should be neutral and positive portrayals, as well, because the point of this would not be anti-Muslim, except in that one aspect, but pro-freedom.
19 posted on 09/27/2006 4:49:00 PM PDT by Celtjew Libertarian ("Don't take life so seriously. You'll never get out of it alive." -- Bugs Bunny)
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To: ConservativeMan55

Insult those who behead Islam!


20 posted on 09/27/2006 4:49:05 PM PDT by Sender (* Pre-cooked weight. Your mullah may vary.)
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