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Journalism of Courage
CAIRO, DEC 6: The Egyptian authorities have sought to deflect Islamic criticism of a millennial sound-and-light opera to be performed at the Giza pyramids. Attacks have focussed on the role of French composer Jean-Michel Jarre in the show, with Islamicists saying it was quot;Zionist freemasony.quot;
But Culture Minister Faruq Hosni said Jarre8217;s electronic opera quot;The Twelve Dreams of the Sun,quot; was 100 per cent Egyptian. The opera quot;constitutes a message from Egypt, cradle of civilizations, to the whole world,quot; Hosni said, quoted in Monday8217;s Al-Gomhuriya government newspaper. Charges that the show included masonic or satanic symbols were only intended quot;to sow discord and create a feeling of fanaticism,quot; he added.
The Islamist newspaper Al-Shaab had accused Jarre of plotting to impose quot;Zionist freemasonryquot; on Egyptian civilization by placing a golden pyramid of light atop the great pyramid of Cheops. Egyptian MP Mohammed Abul Enein has also asked whether there is any link between Masonic symbolism and the golden pyramid of light, the government newspaper Al-Ahram reported Sunday.
Abul Enein, a businessman and independent MP appointed by presidential decree, insisted the speaker of parliament find out how cost-effective the millennial show would be and how the performance8217;s technology would affect the pyramids. The celebration runs against the grain of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, which begins this week and goes until the first week of January, he added.
However, Jarre said the show will start off with quot;calm music, inspired by Muslim mystics8217; hymns, and discreet lightingquot; out of quot;respect for the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan. quot;The Twelve Dreams of the Sunquot; is the country8217;s only official millennial celebration near the pyramids. It starts at sundown December 31 and runs until dawn January 1.
