Malaysia joins critics of Paris 2024 Olympics opening ceremony

Malaysia has supported Egypt’s Al-Azhar University’s condemnation of the Paris 2024 Olympics opening ceremony that was seen to mock religion purposely.

In a statement today, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Mohd Na'im Mokhtar said freedom of expression should not be abused to mock a religious belief in prophethood.

"The Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) fully supports Al-Azhar Al-Sharif's official statement on July 28, 2024, which strongly condemns the scenes displayed at the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympics.

“The ceremony highlighted ‘extreme elements’ that mocked the divine prophethood, in the name of freedom of expression.

"The opening ceremony held in full colours along the River Seine offered a new experience compared to past ceremonies.

"However, the organiser’s enthusiasm to create and innovate without taking into account the sensitivity of diverse religions, cultures and beliefs around the world have marred the festive atmosphere of the opening ceremony,” he added.

Na’im said despite the organiser’s denial of a specific agenda or message behind the ceremony, there were various portrayals of characters and scenes that disrespected the beliefs of people who are religious and uphold moral values.

Exaggerated depictions

The opening ceremony courted international criticism for “exaggerated depictions” of scenes, including one reportedly inspired by Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper”.

On Sunday, France news agency AFP quoted an apology by Paris 2024 spokesperson Anne Descamps, who stressed there was never an intention to show disrespect to any religious group.

”If people have taken any offence, we are of course really, really sorry," she was quoted as saying in response to Catholic groups and French bishops who condemned what they saw as "scenes of derision and mockery of Christianity" in the parade choreographed by theatre director Thomas Jolly.

Other critics include US presidential candidate Donald Trump, who described the opening ceremony as “disgraceful”.

ArabNews quoted Kremlin as stating that the event was a “big failure”.

Commenting further, Na'im said various parties had labelled the organiser’s attempts to promote a “perverse culture” as “dangerous”.

"This includes promoting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender elements that conflict with the religion and culture of most of the world's society and is a dangerous act.

"This matter invites the anger of the global community that dreams of universal harmony achieved through the organisation of prestigious sports and establishing close relationships among people," he added.

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