There can’t be any other way to address Islam other than by the truth, no matter how tight the eyelids close and fingers are pressed into the ears.
In one such comment Mr Azzopardi says he would treat any Muslim who believes in Sharia law with the same contempt he would reserve for Nazis, Klu Klux Clan members and slave traders, reiterating that anyone who does not practise Sharia law is not a Muslim.
Maltese Politician has to backtrack on Islam by vlad43
Updated: V18 director apologises for rant on Islam
V18 director to be Mario Philip Azzopardi this morning apologised for statements he made on Facebook possibly insulting people’s sentiments with his writings.
Culture Minister Owen Bonnici yesterday took issue with the comments, written in August, claiming “all Islam is Sharia law”. He said they were “unwarranted” and did not tally with the government’s position.
Mr Azzopardi is expected to take over the artistic directorship of the V18 Foundation in January.
V18 artistic director Mario Philip Azzopardi. Photo: Matthew MirabelliIn one such comment Mr Azzopardi says he would treat any Muslim who believes in Sharia law with the same contempt he would reserve for Nazis, Klu Klux Clan members and slave traders, reiterating that anyone who does not practise Sharia law is not a Muslim.
In a statement this morning, the V18 said what Mr Azzopardi wrote or said before taking over the directorship was not in any way related to the foundation, with which he had no connection.
Moreover, what he wrote was his personal opinion and he was sorry if he was not clear or if what he said could be taken to mean he was against cultural diversity.
Mr Azzopardi said in the past regularly worked in societies and teams where diversity was celebrated in productions and projects inspired by his writings, both in Malta and abroad.
He said he was sorry he could have insulted the people’s sentiments with his writings.
The foundation said that while it believed personal positions should not be allowed to mix with the implementation of public positions, it disassociated itself from expressions which hindered intercultural dialogue and efforts in favour of solidarity.
In his Facebook entry, Mr Azzopardi makes a “call to cultural arms”, while putting an argument forward for secularism.
He writes that Maltese society has outgrown Christian theocracies, adding that “our theologies have changed”.
The “idiots”, (Muslims), on the other hand, were “tied to a set of rules written 1,500 years ago”.
“If one says he believes in Sharia law then there is where our conversation ends, with me making sure that the idiot does not attain any political power whatsoever, at the risk of using violence against him,” he writes.
More here. H/T: Vlad
