Posted on 10/02/2006 5:56:29 PM PDT by blam
Fiestas hit by fear of offending Muslims
By Fiona Govan in Madrid
(Filed: 03/10/2006)
Spanish villages are abandoning the centuries-old tradition of burning effigies of the Prophet Mohammed for fear of offending Muslims.
The annual festivals, across Catalonia, Valencia and the Balearic Islands, feature locals donning medieval costumes to re-enact battles between "Moors and Christians" during the Reconquista (reconquest) period.
The fiestas celebrate events in 1492, when the Catholic kings of northern Spain defeated and expelled Muslim forces, ending more than 800 years of Moorish rule in the Iberian peninsula.
Traditionally the festivities have culminated with the burning of mannequins of the Mahoma, a figure based on the Prophet Mohammed to represent the final defeat of Islam in the region. In some villages the head of the figure was stuffed with gunpowder and detonated with a cigar, while in others the dummy was decapitated and its head flung from the castle walls.
But, according to reports, local authorities have toned down the rituals to preserve Muslim sensibilities and avoid a repeat of the furore that followed last year's publication of Danish cartoons of the Prophet.
Organisers of the festival in the Valencian village of Bocairent dropped the custom of filling the head of the Mahoma with fireworks as a climax to the festivities.
"As it could hurt some people's feelings, we decided not to do it," Antonio Valdes, the mayor of Bocairent, told El Pais, the daily newspaper.
The festival at Beneixama was also toned down, following a trend to avoid inflaming tensions in Spain, which is, again, home to a growing number of Muslims.
I got question if Muslums don't like Fiesta they don't have to go I am sorry did I saw something very wrong
Mothers, diks, combat boots, donkeys and rubber-hosed noses come to mind.
I am trying to figure that out.
Sounds as if the festivals are aimed at non-Muzzles, so there is no need of any Muzzles to go and be offended. Do they mind if non-Muzzles go to all of their events? Yes, they do. They are not very "inclusive".
Who said that bombing subways doesn't work?
How do you say "Senor Muslim allow me to kiss your ass" in Spanish.
Moslems intimidate because it works. And until it fails it will accelerate.
Hmmm, is it time to start having our own festivals?
"Senor Ahmed dejame besar su culo!"
I'd sic the Inquisition on them. After they will have burned a few actual bodies, and not effigies, a wondrous quiet will reign over the whole realm...
OMGGGG that too funny ROFL
They were showing History of the World part 1 on AMC other night LATE
Donde está el EL Cid?
You have said it. The time has come to offend the stupid buttheads to the very core.
Thank You. I will send it to the leader of Spain, but I am sure he has already said it many times.
No one would stop them from leaving. Please.
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