The Tate Britain Museum Scandal

The Tate Britain museum has never knowingly previously been too worried about causing offence by pushing back the boundaries of acceptability.  It is, after all, the gallery which gave us such gems as the talentless Tracey Emin's childish scribbles using the “f” word, other “artists” elephant dung daubings and “soft core” porno films.

However the sensitivities of Tunbridge Wells’ residents and genteel senior citizens seem to be not worthy of consideration by the Museum’s directors and trustees, and it seems that only a Muslim, of any age or either sex, can be offended.

Exhibition work removed

The museum over the weekend removed a work made up of sacred texts from Christianity, Judaism and Islam, torn, and mounted on glass, to avoid offending religious sensibilities following the July bombings on London Transport.  The museum said it was particularly concerned that John Latham's piece “God Is Great” could upset Muslims.  It withdrew the work from an exhibition of Latham's art, despite his objection.

“Having sought wide-ranging advice, Tate feels that to exhibit the work in London in the current sensitive climate, post July 7, would not be appropriate,” the museum said in a statement.

“God Is Great” consists of a large sheet of glass and copies of the Koran, the Bible and Judaism's Talmud, that have been cut apart, with the pieces mounted on either side of the glass to make it appear that they are embedded in it.

“Cowardice” says artist

The museum put up a notice in the exhibition explaining the decision, including Latham's objection to it.  Latham, 84, who made his name as a member of London's 1960s artistic avant garde, said the piece, which he made 10 years ago, was not anti-Muslim.

“Tate Britain have shown cowardice over this,” he told The Observer newspaper.  “I think it's a daft thing to do because, if they want to help the militants, this is the way to do it.”

We have seen planning applications from Glasgow to Luton for licensed premises declined, delayed or modified, following objections from Muslim residents.

We have seen barmy councils refuse to display the word “Christmas”, and refuse to use seasonal decorations which might offend Muslims.

We have seen, just last week, Burger King remove a new brand of ice cream because of just ONE complaint by a supposed Muslim customer, which is odd because BK have confirmed to us and many other correspondents that BK does not sell any halal products.

Endless list of offensive material

There seems to be no end to the list of activities, sights, sounds and words to which Muslims, such delicate souls that they are, become easily offended.

What about the offensive sight of a new Mosque being opened every 6 days in Britain; what about the offensive and frighteningly sight (to toddlers and the elderly) of women forced to completely cover their faces in bird-cage style garments; what about the offensive news of another honour killing on the streets of west Yorkshire or Lancashire; and what about the offensive sight of halal products in Britain’s leading supermarket chains? 

Are indigenous Britons and other non-Muslims in Britain, Jews, Hindus, Sikhs and the secular, not permitted to be offended, and express that concern, and have that concern listened to and acted upon?
 
Every concession to supposed Islamic “offence” is a backward step for us in the west, and another step forward for the advance of this Middle Eastern feudal religious cult.