Hi Folks.
This is a minor non-Dhofari rant about the Muscat Royal Opera House incident on February 27th. In case you haven't been following the news, a member of Jason Moran &The Bandwagon (a Muslim member, that is) recited verses from the Quran during the performance. Obviously the guy misjudged and OBVIOUSLY he didn't intend to insult Islam.
Anyway, Omanis have been on fire and there are social media campaigns to boycott the Royal Opera House altogether. The ROHM issued an apology on February 28th as follows:
"The Royal Opera House Muscat expresses its deep regret over the incident that took place during the performance of Jason Moran and the Bandwagon yesterday evening where one of the band members recited verses of the Quran during the performance.
The Royal Opera House Muscat’s mission to is showcase the world’s heritage and enforce an example of peaceful coexistence and intellectual affinity and understanding amongst all nations and peoples through its diverse events in a civilized manner far from religious conflicts and dogmas. This is what is agreed with all visiting artists and groups. The incident that took place yesterday evening is therefore a violation of this agreement. Following an inquiry, it became clear to the management of the Royal Opera House Muscat that the band member who recited verses of Al Fatiha during the performance is a Muslim who did so in expression of his love for his religion, and with the intention of pleasing the audience being in an Islamic country, and confirmed that his actions were in no way intended to ridicule or mock, or cause offense. The band has expressed its regret over the incident and stressed that it was the action of one member and does not represent the band. It should also be noted that the said band member’s role in the performance secondary and was not the prime attraction.
The Royal Opera House Muscat deplores the incident regardless of its source and issues an apology to the audience who witnessed the incident which came as a surprise to the organizers. The Royal Opera House Muscat does not accept such actions and confirms that it will be taking legal action regarding the incident".
The Royal Opera House Muscat’s mission to is showcase the world’s heritage and enforce an example of peaceful coexistence and intellectual affinity and understanding amongst all nations and peoples through its diverse events in a civilized manner far from religious conflicts and dogmas. This is what is agreed with all visiting artists and groups. The incident that took place yesterday evening is therefore a violation of this agreement. Following an inquiry, it became clear to the management of the Royal Opera House Muscat that the band member who recited verses of Al Fatiha during the performance is a Muslim who did so in expression of his love for his religion, and with the intention of pleasing the audience being in an Islamic country, and confirmed that his actions were in no way intended to ridicule or mock, or cause offense. The band has expressed its regret over the incident and stressed that it was the action of one member and does not represent the band. It should also be noted that the said band member’s role in the performance secondary and was not the prime attraction.
The Royal Opera House Muscat deplores the incident regardless of its source and issues an apology to the audience who witnessed the incident which came as a surprise to the organizers. The Royal Opera House Muscat does not accept such actions and confirms that it will be taking legal action regarding the incident".
The fuss and rage I have seen on Facebook and WhatsApp is ridiculous (in my opinion). What bothers me the most about us Arabs is that we get offended by anything and everything. We tend to make mountains out of mole-holes in cases like this one. Obviously it was a mistake, the guy had no intention of offending, and for heaven's sake GROW UP.
I know many of you might not agree with me, but I honestly believe the world needs more tolerance, and Islam is about tolerance.
I know many of you might not agree with me, but I honestly believe the world needs more tolerance, and Islam is about tolerance.
Sadly just confirms the narrow mindedness of a growing part of the nation.
ReplyDeleteIt is a fantastic facility that everyone should be proud of.
On the plus side - more seats available for those that do enjoy it.
R
It was quite beautiful,, unexpected and clearly intended as a tribute. Pray, exactly WHY was it deemed 'offensive'?! And by whom exactly?
ReplyDelete"Incident"?! Oh, you mean a prayer recital? You certainly love to create mountains out of molehills, but does that really make you an "Arab"?
ReplyDeleteThe guy who said it is muslim. Why are ppl upset?? Are non-Arabs not allowed to be Muslim now? lol
ReplyDeleteThe guy was a convert proud of being a Muslim. People should be happy about that, and maybe write him a letter advising him against msuic or whatever if they were offended by what he did but not be like, omigosh let's burn down the opera house or whatever.
ReplyDeleteQuote "I know many of you might not agree with me, but I honestly believe the world needs more tolerance, and Islam is about tolerance. " Unquote DG.
ReplyDeleteWell said. I do agree with you on the above.
Thank you.
Mti
100% agree with you Nadia.
ReplyDeleteso, what exactly is the issue? that he recited this while music was playing or in this environment? i don't understand what made people feel offended...
ReplyDeleteThe narrow mindedness of a part of the population sadly limits the creativity of the other people which is needed to push Oman forward in its development :(
ReplyDeleteInterestingly is what Khalili said about it which made most of those talking about it ponder and hush up
ReplyDeleteThat's informative. Thanks
DeleteWhat did Al Khalili say about it?
ReplyDeleteCan somebody please explain exactly why offence was taken? Are people really so offended?
ReplyDeleteThey should just quarter Al Khalili on the clocktower roundabout, in front of cameras, with maxiscreens all over the country to show the event, and then torture to death all those who utter a syllable of protest. That's the way to go about taming the rabid monkeys.
ReplyDeleteSurprised this got through the moderator. Highly disturbing on many fronts
DeleteWho is Khalili and what did he say? Why are you all so cloak and dagger? Why write about something without explaining the situation to those who you claim to be aiming at? (English language speakers, presumably, or you would be conducting all this in Arabic.) Is informing people your aim or just plain incitement? A cyclone in a tea cup
ReplyDeletehello, i sent you an email in order to get some information about the local culture. i admit that i ve spent night reading your posts, but i d like to ask you a few things.
ReplyDeletemany thanks
Now a full blown cyclone. There are an unusually wide range of recitals at the opera house, including many Islamic ones. The whole point is that it should be all inclusive. What a pity one of the most enviable venues in the world is so unappreciated by those whose lives it was supposed to enrich. And that such a well-intentioned gesture has been so willfully mis-interpreted. It speaks volumes.
ReplyDeleteHey Nadia! I have just started following your blog, I have seen the name of it all over the Omani blog world but for some reason I thought you were a perfume manufacturer so I never bothered to stop by. It's a great blog now that I have stopped and taken the time to read it, nothing about perfume either :P
ReplyDeleteYou can follow me too at www.theduncanadventures.blogspot.com
Thanks
Heather
Abu Quhafa and Al Farooq were the closest people to Al-Mustafa. However, they would differ in so many things! Almost everything! But they never ever had a second opinion on Troublemakers! Why should we?
ReplyDeleteI don't see how the position Al-Khalili took towards the incident supported them (some called them demonstrators. But let's call them for what they are: Troublemakers! You do not need a PHD to see that.)
In fact if you listen to Al-Khalili carefully, he simply covered them up with a nice blanket of "shame on you!" In case you haven't heard him yet here is a link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVD04WAF2Wk
More 'In Talk'. Listen to yourselves
DeleteWith that mindset, it works both ways...
DeleteSo who is Khalili? And what did he say?
ReplyDeleteI'm a bit lost on what the finer details are. But I'm sure hermit no ill will and people should except that. We all make mistakes. Inshallah things will calm down.
ReplyDeleteI think i'd agree with the writer.. Islam is indeed about tolerance.. Its a shame we muslims have not been able to follow our primary school teachings of prophet Muhammad pbuh when he dealt with the arabian man who out of his simplicity stained the mosque but then our great propphet handled him politely sensing he never intended disgrace its just illetracy..
ReplyDelete