TEHRAN, Iran: Top government officials in Iran and Turkey, along with Muslim religious figures, have condemned the drag-queen-led parody of the Last Supper featured in the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics. The controversial performance has sparked outrage among Christians and Muslims alike.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the supreme leader of Iran, denounced the portrayal as an insult to Jesus Christ, a revered figure in Islam. He emphasized the importance of respecting holy figures from all divine religions, including Jesus Christ, and condemned the ceremony for its disrespect.
Similarly, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan expressed his disapproval, stating his intention to discuss the matter with Pope Francis. Erdoğan criticized the scene as offensive to both the Christian world and Muslims, highlighting the immorality and threat it represents.
Muslims, while not recognizing the divinity of Jesus, revere him as a prophet. The top Sunni institution in Egypt, Al-Azhar, also issued a statement condemning the portrayal of Jesus in the ceremony, describing it as offensive and disrespectful. Al-Azhar, representing nearly 2 billion Muslims, emphasized the importance of respecting religious figures and beliefs. The Muslim Council of Elders, chaired by Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, echoed this sentiment, rejecting any attempts to demean religious symbols and figures.
Christian leaders worldwide have joined the chorus of condemnation. Elon Musk, the world’s wealthiest individual, called the scene “extremely disrespectful to Christians.” The performance, which was part of a 1.5-billion-euro spectacle, featured drag queens as apostles and an overweight DJ as Jesus, mocking Leonardo da Vinci’s famous painting of the Last Supper.
Anne Descamps, spokesperson for the Paris Olympics, defended the opening ceremony, asserting that the intention was never to show disrespect to any religious group. The goal, she said, was to “celebrate community tolerance.” However, Descamps’ statement did little to quell the backlash. Bishop Robert Barron criticized her response as “anything but an apology,” reflecting widespread dissatisfaction with the handling of the controversy.
The global reaction underscores the sensitivity surrounding religious symbols and the importance of respecting diverse beliefs. The incident has sparked a broader conversation about the boundaries of artistic expression and the need for cultural sensitivity in international events. As the Olympics continue, the organizers are likely to face ongoing scrutiny and calls for greater respect for religious sentiments.
