Malmö mayor concerned about Islam-critical show
Published: 20 Feb 13 17:20 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/46312/20130220/
The mayor of Malmö has slammed an upcoming exhibition of work by controversial Swedish artist Lars Vilks, saying he hoped no one would visit the gallery to see artwork he said was "associated with xenophobes".
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"But as far as I can gather, this is pretty bad art and I think they want to use the gallery for political ends," he added.
"Vilks is increasingly associated in people's minds with xenophobic groups at the far right of the political spectrum. I hope not a single person visits the gallery."
News of the show, set to open in July, prompted representatives from different religions in the multicultural southern city to call an emergency meeting,
Some observers appeared frightened that the show would provoke a violent reaction.
"I urge everyone to avoid violence in their demonstrations, because then the cause will be lost,” said Björn Lagerbäck of the municipal anti-discrimination project Dialogforum.
Vilks has faced numerous death threats since his drawing of the Muslim prophet with the body of a dog was first published by Swedish regional daily Nerikes Allehanda in 2007. It was published to illustrate an editorial on free speech.
The new paintings of Muhammad would show the prophet - still with a dog's body - transplanted into famous works by artists including Claude Monet, Peter Paul Rubens and Anders Zorn, Vilks told the AFP news agency.
It was "hard to tell" whether the July exhibition would prompt more protests and threats, he added.
"At some point this has to be over and done with," said Vilks, who has already met with the police to discuss safety at the show.
In 2009, Colleen LaRose, an American woman calling herself "Jihad Jane", was arrested in the US with seven others for plotting to kill Vilks. She has pleaded guilty to terror charges and faces life behind bars.
Three men accused of plotting to murder him at an art fair in Gothenburg were acquitted by a Swedish court in January, but were fined for weapons possession.
Vilks told TT that he was pleased that his art has been given the green light by curator Henrik Rönnquist.
"It’s a breakthrough that he dares to put these paintings on show now. I am not trying to kick up a stink, I’d sooner get rid of all the drama. People should be able to criticize Islam," Vilks said.
The show's curator said that he is prepared to tackle the safety concerns, in order to stand up for free speech, democracy, and religious freedom.
TT/The Local/AFP/og
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Freedom of speech is number 1 in this part of the world and it will stay that way!
If you do not like it... no one forces you to stay here...
I tolerate religious people, christians, muslims and all other religions. So I expect that my laicity is tolerated as well.
If you do not like the expo... don't go!
Hear hear!
Now there's a brave man!
As for Reepalu: yellow coward and low-life jew-hating scumbag.
you seem to have little understanding about Germany in the 1930s- The limits generally set on freedom of speech are when violence is encouraged and promoted.
Viks is hardly encouraging violent attacks on muslims - the violence seems to come from muslims and to be directed at him.
To judge by your chosen name you appear to be a supported of a regime that does not favour freedom of speech and instead of merely speaking against its opponents, kills them.
Now, mostly, it just makes me think of 'crazed leftists' making tired arguments, using the concept too much and belittling the strife of the Jews to meet the ends of what are usually poor arguments with little foundation.
Vilks has no right to do that. Prophet Muhammed is not his concern at any issue.
I believe that swedes are very kind to respect others. So swedes should think about this mater from all point of logical view . This kind of activity shows the misuse of freedom of speech.
Freedom of speech does not mean the right to say whatever we want and thus we can not do whatever we think . This is our speciality as human being.
freedom of speech does not mean you hurt other peoples feeling same like the limit of your stick ends when the limit of others nose begin
show respect and be respected
when will we get of these hatreds and crazy things
have not we learn anything from history???????????
or we do not want to learn,,,,,,,,
then show will go on as it,,,,,,,
but remeber all this is a disease and disease needs treatment,,,,,
If you are referring to the 'rondell' art, you should know that he made one Muhammed dog, one Jesus elephant and one Jewish Sow.
This is in a country where the Arch Bishop can ok to put up something like Ecce Homo in the cathedral.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecce_Homo_%28exhibition%29
So the very point of this is the widespread illegal and violent reactions from many muslims, which does not occur in the other religions.
'Muslims love prophet Muhammed more than their life'
Many people think that all religions are delusions - there are no god(s) but many claim to speak in their name. Many believe that every religion, except their own, is false - logically most of them must be wrong.
Just as you are free to follow your religion we are free to laugh at the absurdities of each and every religion.
The mayor has to balance Mr Vilk's right to free speech with the reputation and safety of his city and all its citizens.
The excitement caused by Mr Vilks' exhibition will make Malmö, once again, a global icon for intolerance and violence. Malmö has seen quite enough of that, thank you very much, and really doesn't need any more.
First of all, assuming that I support Iranian regime merely shows your prejudice and that is in fact in line with the rest of thinking line.
Germany in 1930s didn't magically start a violence against Jews. They first started by belittling, humiliation and playing the victim role in the hands of Jews. After public opinion was ready and hatred was build-up they started the second phase which was justified violence! This is exactly what political groups that Vilk are associated with are doing and they are following every foot step!
you chose your name, I as I said made a reasonable assumption about its meaning. Your response does not actually include your position on mass muder by a theocractic state, or even occasional murder - please enlighten me.
Viks pokes fun at the absudities of religions, not races, religion is a choice.
Viks does not advocate violence against anyone, but tmany of his detractors do.
We all have the right to exercise our right to free speech and shout "Fire" in a crowded cinema, but would we be wise if we did so?
It seems best to acknowledge that Lars Vilks has the right to exhibit his art, but to ask him politely to do so wisely. Choosing powder keg Malmö as a venue, is not wise.
But when a Muslim who love his Prophet more then his family go to court for humiliation of his Prophet or protest it is freedom of speech, WOW what double slandered society !
This kind of people are like HIV aids for society who eat the body (society) rapidly.
Here is universal formula give respect and get respect.
My name refers to a physical fact! That fact that i happen to be born and/or lived in Iran. It doesn't say what I believe. That is very unfortunate that you haven't learnt this at this age. I didn't find it relevant to this topic to start my comment by renouncing of Iran government to make sure prejudiced people do not judge me wrong!
Religion is choice and not race! But the majority of people tend to couple a specific religions to a specific race. In case of Jews it was Semitic people and in case of Muslims today it is mainly Arabs and Middle Eastern people. So nowadays separation of religion and race has used as an scapegoat by the same racists to justify their new era of racist political agenda.
Like I said before Nazis were not advocating violence against Jews in the beginning. They started off by belittling, playing the victim role then humiliation and violence. It is exactly the same patter today!
in no sense is your name a physical fact.
Viks is not advocating violence against anyone, he is poking many religions and the religious, which sadly reveals that some believers are dangerously intolerant and have not picked up on ideas of personnal freedom and free speech. The corollary of your freedom to pray and speak is our freedom to laugh and criticise.
The group killing most muslims at the moment appear to be other muslims. But it seems that muslims killing muslims and destroying mosques and I assume korans is fine, but if a non muslim laughs at your religion he is threatened wth death.
The Nazis denigrated jews and made false accusations, accusations that remain current in the middle east. Viks is clearly annoying some muslims but not denigrating them, spreading lies or advocating violence.
Any limit is a restriction on freedom of speech. No country in the world has unrestricted freedom of speech -- not even the US, which likes to make a big fuss about it. There are always some limits that are intended to protect the rights of others. Restrictions on libel (saying untrue things about others) are one example. So is the "fire in a crowded theater" example.
If you argue against Vilks displaying his cartoons, you are arguing against free speech. Accept that and make your argument. Say "I think we should prevent his speech because ..."
But be careful what you wish for: A free society cannot have a "right to not be offended". If you have a right to not be offended, then so do I. If you can ban Vilks's cartoons because they offend you, I can ban the Koran because it offends me. Do you want to live in a country where Bibles and Korans are forbidden?
As far as those who say muslims love muhamad more than their life, WE DON'T CARE!
Any muslims care to give their us their opinion on a 54 year old man having sexual intercorse with a 9 year old?
Can we call for a nationwide popular vote for a one year moratorium on any remarks by Mr. Reepalu? The only restriction will be that he must be accompanied wherever he goes by an Orthodox Rabbi with a dirty sock ready to insert into the Mayor's mouth if he begins to speak.
As to the exhibit of Mr. Vilks' work, art and politics often intersect, and separating one from the other is not always easy. Moreover, judging the merit of art is always partly subjective, but certain things can be agreed on. One is that Mr. Reepalu's remark that he has heard rumors that it is "bad art" are no more credible than anything else that pops out of his mouth.
I wonder if you ever thought about the true importance of the rather glib saying ''Where my freedom stops yours begins''.
you cannot juts go around and do what ever you want because of ''freedom of speech''. our government must arrest Mr Vilk before he start violence as he advocating for hate speech, you cannot offend someone's believe ,faith and say I was practicing my freedom of speech,... specially with muslims who made it clear please stop offending our religion.
in the contrary, for muslims please do not give this guy what he wants free ''publicity''. just ignore him ... end of the story.
If you arrest Vilk for what you call hate speech and advocating violence, then i want the the koran banned because it is filled with hate speech and calls for violence against non muslims that are carried out on a daily basis by muslims.