LETTER | Between art and offence

LETTER | The recent opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympics certainly captured global attention, but not for reasons the organisers might have hoped.

The decision to depict the Last Supper with LGBTQ+ drag queens as the main figures sparked widespread outrage, raising serious questions about respect and sensitivity toward religious traditions.

This incident has fuelled a broader discussion about the perceived overreach of “woke culture”, which in its quest to challenge norms and innovate, sometimes neglects the deep reverence many hold for their religious practices and symbols.

This goes beyond a mere artistic misstep. It’s viewed as a violation of the respect traditionally granted to religious sentiments on the global stage.

For families, especially those with young children, this matter is even more pressing. There’s a growing concern about the kind of values and messages being conveyed on a significant platform such as the Olympics.

Parents are increasingly cautious about exposing their children to content that might not only confuse but could also contradict the religious teachings and values they are instilling.

Amid these developments, our government’s apparent lack of decisive action is frustrating. There should be no hesitation in defending the sanctity of religious traditions.

The portrayal of religious symbols in ways that many perceive as mockery or as a promotion of paganism is deeply troubling.

Malaysia must clarify its position: disrespect in the guise of art or entertainment is unacceptable on the international stage.

We eagerly await a strong statement from Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim condemning these actions to ensure our values are represented and respected worldwide.

MAHATHIR MOHD RAIS Perikatan Nasional Federal Territories state secretary.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.