An 'insult' to the 'Palestinian' struggle
Ramallah is probably the most secular city in the 'Palestinian Authority.' The city has an annual Contemporary Dance Festival, which is scheduled to take place this week for the third time. The festival features a varied lineup of modern and traditional performances from local and international dance troupes.The festival is organized by the Sareyyet Ramallah - First Ramallah Group - a local NGO whose goal is to "broaden the cultural landscape by introducing Palestinians to new and progressive forms of contemporary artistic expression through dance."
It seems that Hamas, which has other ideas about 'culture,' is upset that the festival is taking place. They want it canceled.
Hamas is opposed to the event mainly because it would bring men and women together. The Islamic movement also maintains that it is "inappropriate" to hold such an event while Palestinians were still fighting against Israel.If Hamas doesn't get their way, watch for them to bring these people into action.
Saleh al-Raqab, Deputy Minister of Waqf Affairs in the Hamas government, said the festival "distorted" the Palestinian "struggle" and harms the image of the Palestinians.
"Those who are dancing on the pain and wounds of the Palestinian people can't be part of our people," he said. "How can they be dancing while our people in the Gaza Strip are suffering under the siege?"
Raqab claimed that the organizers were spending millions of dollars to bring international dance troupes. "They are wasting the money of our people on trivial matters," he said. "This event has nothing to do with our people's culture and history."
He urged the Palestinians to boycott the "disgraceful" dance festival and distance themselves from the organizers. "This event is an insult to all Muslims," he added. "Is this the way to liberate Palestine?"
posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 2:44 PM
1 Comments:
They reject dancing but are willing to blow themselves up. If you are in love with death, then all life-affirming expressions of merriment are an insult to those in love with death. Hamas is right about that - its not just life they want the Palestinians to avoid, they want them to dwell on nothing but death and the glory of becoming a shahid. So there's more to it than just an insult to the Palestinian struggle.
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