Posted on 05/12/2008 1:54:22 PM PDT by forkinsocket
Iraqi singers, actors and artists are fleeing the country after dozens have been killed by Islamic radicals determined to eradicate all culture associated with the West.
Cinemas, art galleries, theatres, and concert halls are being destroyed in grenade and mortar attacks in Basra and Baghdad.
According to the Iraqi Artists' Association, at least 115 singers and 65 actors have been killed since the US-led invasion, as well as 60 painters. But the terror campaign has escalated in recent months as both Shia and Sunni extremists grow ever bolder in enforcing religious restrictions on the citizens of Iraq.
Those remaining are in hiding as they make preparations to get themselves and their families to safety.
Haydar Labbeb, 35, a painter in Baghdad, said he had received five death threats and an attempt was made on his life as he drove his family home from a wedding. He is now trying to get to Amman in Jordan, where he hopes to continue painting.
'My art is seen by extremists as too modern and offensive to Islamic beliefs,' he said. 'For them, every painting has to be based on Islamic culture. But I am a modern artist.
'Life for artists in Iraq has turned into hell. We have been forced to stay in our homes and to stop working. I don't remember the last time I saw an exhibition, or a singer at a club, or an actor at a local theatre. All of us have been prohibited from working as a result of the killings.'
(Excerpt) Read more at guardian.co.uk ...
“Haydar Labbeb, 35, a painter in Baghdad, said he had received five death threats and an attempt was made on his life as he drove his family home from a wedding. He is now trying to get to Amman in Jordan, where he hopes to continue painting.”
Starving artists in every culture, LOL. I wonder how many Art history majors they have over there?
Wow. You are FUNNY! “LOL”
From another NYT Story - 2003 -
"In its brutal way, the killing demonstrated how profoundly Mr. Hussein had corrupted creative life in Iraq. He manipulated artistic expression so completely that many musicians, writers and artists now wonder if they can ever again find their own voices."
Of course, this is the Guardian.
I suspect all of these quotes were collected several months or more ago.
Gotta keep that agenda going as long as there are dupes who believe everything you say, eh, corrupt media scum?
What a lovely culture the jihadists have!
What a lovely culture the jihadists have!
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