Wednesday, September 27, 2006

Mozart and Mohammed

A Berlin opera house just canceled a production of Mozart’s "Idomeneo" over concerns that the opera could enrage Muslims and lead to violence.

At issue were scenes with King Idomeneo on stage next to the severed heads of Buddha, Jesus, Poseidon and Mohammed.

There were no security concerns from angry Buddhists or Christians—just Muslims.

To her credit, German Chancellor Angela Merkel criticized the decision saying, "I think the cancellation was a mistake. I think self-censorship does not help us against people who want to practice violence in the name of Islam. It makes no sense to retreat."

Anyone see the irony in all of this? Daniel Pearl? Nick Berg?

Where is the Muslim outrage over real beheadings?