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British Islamic Group issue Fatwa for playwright of 'gay Jesus' drama
BBC ^ | 9.24.2002

Posted on 09/24/2002 4:42:55 PM PDT by swarthyguy

An Islamic group based in the UK has issued a death fatwa against a playwright whose London stage production depicts Jesus Christ as a homosexual. Terrence McNally was sentenced to death by the Shari'ah Court of the UK as his play, Corpus Christi, opened in London on Thursday night.

The play depicts Jesus Christ and his followers as a group of homosexuals. He is seduced by Judas Iscariot, but is later crucified as "king of the queers". It caused an outcry among Christians when it was staged during the Edinburgh Fringe festival during the summer.

Muslims regard Jesus as a messenger of God, and revere his mother, the Virgin Mary. The play was declared blasphemous by the Al-Muhajiroun - The Defenders of The Messenger Jesus.

Supporters of the group, which has around 800 members in the UK, handed out copies of the fatwah outside the play's first night at the small Pleasance Theatre, Holloway, north London.

The religious edict was signed by Sheik Omar Bakri Muhammad, judge of the Shari'ah Court of the UK.

Actor Stephen Billington feels the play makes an important point He criticised Christian leaders for not taking stronger action against the production.

He said: "The fatwa is to express the Islamic point of view that those who are insulting to Allah and the messengers of God, they must understand it is a crime.

"The Church of England has neglected the honour of the Virgin Mary and Jesus. It is blasphemy for them not to take action."

A fatwa is a religious decree issued by a recognised Islamic scholar, or other authorised leaders.

The order should only be carried out by an Islamic state, which rules out action against New York-based Mr McNally in either the UK or US.

"We would warn individual Muslims not to try to carry it out," Sheik Omar Bakri Muhammad said.

However, it is reported police have warned Mr McNally about the fatwa.

If he travels to an Islamic state, then he would risk arrest and execution.

The sheik added: "We do not believe in political assassination, but obviously he would face capital punishment.

"He will be arrested and there will be capital punishment."

He said that under Islamic law, Mr McNally could only escape the fatwa by becoming a Muslim. If he simply repented he would still be killed - but his family would be cared for by the Islamic state.

The play also caused controversy in New York, with Mr McNally and his cast receiving bomb and death threats.

Judas Iscariot is played by Stephen Billington, best known for his role as villain Greg Kelly in the ITV soap Coronation Street.

During the Edinburgh Festival, he told BBC News Online Corpus Christi was "a very important play with a message about tolerance".


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs
KEYWORDS: fatwa
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MOnty Python, move over.

The WorldWide Wacky Wahahabbi Beheading and Mutilation Tour ....is coming to a town near you.

1 posted on 09/24/2002 4:42:55 PM PDT by swarthyguy
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To: weikel; knighthawk; MadIvan; keri; veronica; Black Agnes; Shermy; dennisw
My brain Hurts!
2 posted on 09/24/2002 4:43:55 PM PDT by swarthyguy
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To: swarthyguy
Let's be sure to point out a significant difference here:

Christians believe this film to be blasphemous and speak that truth clearly. We do not, however, issue death threats or calls to war. We recognize instead that it is a spiritual battle, not one of flesh and blood.

3 posted on 09/24/2002 4:51:41 PM PDT by anniegetyourgun
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To: swarthyguy
Their way of "reaching out" to the Christian community.
4 posted on 09/24/2002 4:53:02 PM PDT by Shermy
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To: swarthyguy
The religious edict was signed by Sheik Omar Bakri Muhammad, judge of the Shari'ah Court of the UK.........

The above freak is one of the overstuffed Mullahs from the Finsbury Park mosque.

Sheikh Omar Bakri Muhammad, leader of the Al-Muhajiroun movement

5 posted on 09/24/2002 4:53:11 PM PDT by dennisw
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To: dighton
"The Church of England has neglected the honour of the Virgin Mary and Jesus. It is blasphemy for them not to take action."

True, but any insults to Druids will be firmly condemned.

6 posted on 09/24/2002 4:55:03 PM PDT by Shermy
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To: anniegetyourgun
Agreed.
7 posted on 09/24/2002 4:55:06 PM PDT by swarthyguy
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To: swarthyguy
"We do not believe in political assassination, but obviously he would face capital punishment.

.... er .... OK .... weird just plane weird!

8 posted on 09/24/2002 4:57:33 PM PDT by HoustonCurmudgeon
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To: swarthyguy
And, furthermore, it is blasphemous to suggest that Jesus the Christ is simply a messenger of God. Ergo, Muslims are expert blasphemers.
9 posted on 09/24/2002 5:04:23 PM PDT by anniegetyourgun
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To: anniegetyourgun
Yes, but the left must have its bogeymen, and it is politically-correct that they be Christian.
10 posted on 09/24/2002 5:09:00 PM PDT by Paul Atreides
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To: swarthyguy
But, but, but.....aren't they a religion of peace?
11 posted on 09/24/2002 5:09:46 PM PDT by Paul Atreides
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To: swarthyguy
This is hilarious. Strange bedfellows indeedy.
12 posted on 09/24/2002 5:16:25 PM PDT by gcruse
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To: gcruse
I wonder what Muslims would think about a play about Muhammed as a liar, thief, murderer and pedophile? Would they issue a fatwa for someone telling the truth about their false prophet?
13 posted on 09/24/2002 5:19:36 PM PDT by Trickyguy
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To: Paul Atreides
"aren't they a religion of peace?"

Yes, a religion of POS. (pieces)
14 posted on 09/24/2002 5:22:12 PM PDT by jwh_Denver
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To: swarthyguy
Perhaps if more Christians were willing to take up arms for our faith, our country wouldn't be the socialist wussy factory it is today.
15 posted on 09/24/2002 5:35:39 PM PDT by goodieD
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To: Trickyguy
Salman Rushdie and the Satanic Verses didn't go near as far as that and look what happened to an editor of his in Japan! Japan! Stabbed to death.
16 posted on 09/24/2002 5:35:46 PM PDT by swarthyguy
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To: dennisw
He is going to love my new play "Muhammad and the Pork Roast"

a.cricket

17 posted on 09/24/2002 5:40:36 PM PDT by another cricket
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To: swarthyguy
Even a broken clock is right twice a day...
18 posted on 09/24/2002 5:43:24 PM PDT by B-Chan
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To: B-Chan
LOL! So you agree with the jihadis!
19 posted on 09/24/2002 6:01:34 PM PDT by swarthyguy
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To: swarthyguy
"Salman Rushdie and the Satanic Verses didn't go near as far as that and look what happened to an editor of his in Japan! Japan! Stabbed to death."

Well, somebody done broke de rules:

The order should only be carried out by an Islamic state, which rules out action against New York-based Mr McNally in either the UK or US.

Whoops! Japan isn't an Islamic state.

20 posted on 09/24/2002 6:02:47 PM PDT by xJones
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