Controversial Berlin Opera Opens Under Tight Security

An opera containing a scene in which the severed head of the Prophet Muhammad is depicted has opened under heavy security in Germany's capital, Berlin.

Police reported no incidents in connection with the Deutsche Oper's staging on December 18 of Mozart's "Idomeneo."

The opera -- which ends with a scene featuring the severed heads of Muhammad, Jesus, Buddha, and the Greek god Poseidon -- had been rescheduled after originally being cancelled in September over fears of reprisals by angered Muslims.

Copyright (c) 2006. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. www.rferl.org

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Posted December 19th, 2006 by Dinka