German Opera Canceled Over Muslim Threats

A German opera company was planning to stage Mozart's "Idomeneo", but have thought better of it after realizing that using the severed head of Mohammad might create a few problems:

German politicians condemned on Tuesday a decision by a Berlin opera house to cancel performances of Mozart's "Idomeneo" over concerns they could enrage Muslims and pose a security risk.

The Deutsche Oper in west Berlin announced on Monday it was replacing four performances of "Idomeneo" scheduled for November with "The Marriage of Figaro" and "La Traviata."

The decision was taken after Berlin security officials warned that putting on the opera as planned would present an "incalculable security risk" for the establishment.

In the production, directed by Hans Neuenfels, King Idomeneo is shown staggering on stage next to the severed heads of Buddha, Jesus, Poseidon and the Prophet Mohammad, which sit on chairs.

It's funny that the politicians are upset about the cancellation, but they're not the ones holding the severed head of Mohammad, and they're not the ones who are likely to find their own heads on vacation from their bodies.

You will notice, however, there was no concern on the part of officials concerning violence from outraged Christians, Buddhists or Poseidon worshippers.