Moros y cristianos under threat?

[greytop]

Today's Las Provincias (http://www.lasprovincias.es/valencia/prensa/20061005/cvalenciana/federacion-islamica-exige-supresion_20061005.html) carries an article reporting that "La Federación Española de Entidades Religiosas Islámicas de España" considers the Moors and Christians celebrations undemocratic and asks for them to be banned.
Seems to me it is they that are being undemocratic. I could see where they come from if specific parts of the parades etc. offends them. To demand a blanket ban on what is usually a lively and not particularly historically accurate celebration of part of Spain's past, is a bit over the top.
What makes these people so insecure about their religion if people having fun is seen as a threat? Should we just have a Christians parade and forget the Moors ever existed?

[richardksa]

It is just a further sign of the neurosis of current Islamic thinking. To some, Islam is seen as so special that it should not be diluted by influences from other cultures. They strive, as is very evident from the "Islamic enclaves" in some of Britain's more culturally diverse towns, to seperate themselves from the life around them. I was once refused a coffee in a cafe in Leicester as it was Ramadan. (I wondered why they stayed open.)

In my life in Saudi, which was once described by a retiring British consul as being under the influence of the "Three 'I's" - Islam, Ignorance and Isolation, I find that any reference to any religion other than Islam is frowned upon. They just don't like to think that any other religion exists.

I assume these celebrations are not new, so what has brought this outcry this year? I assume it's the paranoia of some imams who wish to keep Islam "pure". So much for integration, then.

[Brian]

It is just a further sign of the neurosis of current Islamic thinking. To some, Islam is seen as so special that it should not be diluted by influences from other cultures. They strive, as is very evident from the "Islamic enclaves" in some of Britain's more culturally diverse towns, to seperate themselves from the life around them. I was once refused a coffee in a cafe in Leicester as it was Ramadan. (I wondered why they stayed open.)

In my life in Saudi, which was once described by a retiring British consul as being under the influence of the "Three 'I's" - Islam, Ignorance and Isolation, I find that any reference to any religion other than Islam is frowned upon. They just don't like to think that any other religion exists.

I assume these celebrations are not new, so what has brought this outcry this year? I assume it's the paranoia of some imams who wish to keep Islam "pure". So much for integration, then.

I have to say that I agree with everything that Richard states above. It's a cultural celebration, not a religious one.

[greytop]

Update (http://www.lasprovincias.es/valencia/prensa/20061005/cvalenciana/consejo-islamico-valencia-destaca_20061005.html)from today's paper. The main Islamic centre in Valencia says that to criticise the parades: Se trata de un debate “artificial” y “fruto del desconocimiento” de los festejos.

Meanwhile (http://www.lasprovincias.es/valencia/prensa/20061006/cvalenciana/moros-cristianos-alcoy-llevaran_20061006.html) two filaes of "Christians" plus musicians from Alcoy will be in New York Fifth Avenue next Sunday. Apparently there was not space in the parade to take some Moors as well. Part of Spanish day celebration?

Finally Monday (9/10) in Valencia at 1730 is the Entrada de Moros y Cristianos 2006 - with 4000 participants. Report from Alan?
The fiesta starts Sat (7/10) at the Torres de Quart.

PS sorry about the pop-ups on Las Provincias pages. They seem to have gone overboard with them lately! I'll maybe look for another source.