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Gallery Bows to Muslim Outrage, Covers 'Blasphemous' US Flag Paintings

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Saatchi Gallery, a contemporary art gallery in London, covered up two “blasphemous” paintings after receiving complaints from Muslim visitors.

The paintings featured classical-style nudes overlaid with Arabic text in a pattern that resembled the American flag, The Independent reported.

The Arabic script included the shahada, which is one of the “Five Pillars of Islam.” Artist SKU’s paintings were meant to represent the conflict between the United States and radical Islam, but the “blasphemous” works offended some Muslims.

Instead of taking down the paintings, SKU suggested the “compromise” of covering the paintings with a sheet, according to The Guardian.

“It seemed a respectful solution that enables a debate about freedom of expression versus the perceived right not to be offended,” he told The Times.

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While Saatchi Gallery “fully supported” freedom of expression, the venue agreed that it was a good idea to cover the offending paintings.

“The gallery also recognises the sincerity of the complaints made against these works and supported the artist’s decision to cover them until the end of the exhibition,” the Saatchi Gallery said.

While the gallery didn’t technically take the paintings down, the museum and artist did bow to the ridiculous Muslim outcry by covering the paintings.

Should the Saatchi Gallery display the paintings?

One can’t help but wonder if the contemporary art gallery would have the same response if Christians were the offended party.

Christians are usually mocked when they are offended by overtly blasphemous pieces of media.

But the gallery’s decision is somewhat understandable, considering how radical Muslims have reacted to “offensive” things in the past.

The most tragic example is the 2015 Charlie Hebdo shooting in Paris, France, where two radical Islamic terrorists killed 12 people over a cartoon in the French satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo. But the newspaper heavily mocked Christians, Jews and other religious groups in the past without incident.

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Sadly, it makes sense why media companies seem to be extremely careful when it comes to issues surrounding Muslims and Islam. The double standard extends far beyond media and art: Muslims are also pandered to when it comes to food and dress codes.

Through the use of intimidation and accusations of “Islamophobia,” Muslims have been able to give themselves a special status in Europe and America.

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Malachi Bailey is a writer from Ohio with a background in history, education and philosophy. He has led multiple conservative groups and is dedicated to the principles of free speech, privacy and peace.
Malachi Bailey is a writer from Ohio with a passion for free speech, privacy and peace. He graduated from the College of Wooster with a B.A. in History. While at Wooster, he served as the Treasurer for the Wooster Conservatives and the Vice President for the Young Americans for Liberty.
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