The recent Paris Olympics opening ceremony, which included an elaborate production highlighting the themes of love, unity, and equality for all, has unfortunately been met with backlash from certain individuals. A production company behind the ceremony, Paname 2024, has reportedly received death threats warning them of “Allah’s punishment” in connection to its portrayal of an inclusive and diverse event. The messages contained a verse from the Quran and claimed that these organizers would face God’s wrath for their actions, as stated by Le Parisien on Sunday.
The threatening emails were sent to Paname 2024’s director, Thomas Jolly, and other staff members involved in organizing this memorable opening ceremony. In response, the company has taken legal action, referring the threats to French prosecutors for further investigation. The ceremony itself was a celebration of love and unity, featuring an artistic display that resembled Leonardo Da Vinci’s ‘The Last Supper,’ with a group of drag queens, homosexuals, and transsexuals posing at a table, symbolizing the image of Jesus Christ and his apostles. The performance aimed to showcase that in France, individuals are permitted to love whom they desire without judgment or restriction.
However, this display of inclusivity has sparked controversy among members of certain religious communities, particularly among some Christians worldwide who argue that it mocked and ridiculed their faith. Despite the ceremony not explicitly targeting Islam, the Muslim world is known for its general intolerance towards homosexuality in comparison to the Christian community. Thomas Jolly, the artistic director of the ceremony, has faced additional harassment and insults criticizing his sexual orientation and supposed Israeli origins.
Barbara Butch, a French DJ and pro-obesity activist who played the Christ figure in the performance, has also experienced violent cyber harassment and intimidation following her role in the opening ceremony. Her lawyer, Audrey Msellati, announced that she filed “several complaints against these acts,” whether committed by French nationals or foreigners, and intends to prosecute anyone who tries to intimidate Butch in the future.
In the aftermath of this event, Jolly clarified that the scene was not intended as a mockery of ‘The Last Supper,’ but rather as a representation of a grand pagan festival connected with the gods of Olympus. The inclusion of diverse performers was meant to emphasize the message that in France, everyone is allowed to love freely without fear of judgment or persecution. Despite the controversy surrounding this event, it serves as a reminder of the importance of celebrating and promoting inclusivity and acceptance within our societies.