A group of Muslim scholars have condemned the depiction of the "Last Supper" featuring Jesus Christ during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, accusing it of promoting sexual perversion.

In a joint statement, 31 ulema institutions and 70 scholars and academics from Islamic countries criticized the portrayal, which they say promotes homosexuality and markets values contrary to human instincts. The Union of Scholars and Madrasahs (ITTIHADUL ULEMA) was among the signatories.

The statement denounced the reenactment as highly obscene and degenerate, condemning any act that insults the prophets and messengers of Allah. The scholars emphasized that insulting Jesus Christ is offensive not only to Muslims and Christians worldwide but also to all rational people who reject disrespecting others' beliefs and sacred values.

The scholars criticized the justification of such acts under the guise of "freedom of expression." They argued that while exercising freedom of expression, respect for others' beliefs must be maintained to avoid chaos, hatred, and societal corruption. They described the act as an attack on the sacred and a contempt for the beliefs held by the vast majority of humanity.

The statement stressed that opposing attacks on holy sites and insults to prophets is a sacred duty inherent in Islam. The scholars expressed gratitude to those who condemned and reacted to this act, calling on official institutions, human rights organizations, and the general public to escalate their protests and pressure the organizing committee and the host country to apologize for the offensive portrayal.

Calling for international laws to criminalize insults to religions, the statement characterizes the Paris Olympics opening as a stark example of France's "intellectual and behavioral extremism." They contend that the country's claims of promoting justice, freedom, and peace are belied by such actions.

The scholars have called for widespread condemnation and pressure on the French government to apologize for the incident. They have also expressed gratitude to those who have already spoken out against the reenactment. (ILKHA)