Below is the press release sent out by the Wiener Akademikerbund concerning this unfortunate turn of events. Many thanks to JLH for the translation:
Concerning: Cancellation of Presentation by Pater Zakaria- - - - - - - - -
Dear Friends!Last week, with the greatest joy and in expectation of a courageous confrontation of the problems surrounding Islam, the promises of multiculturalism and diversity as well as the erosion of our value system, we invited you to a lecture/presentation with the Coptic scholar. Islam researcher and charismatic Christian missionary, Father Zakaria Botros.
After meticulous preparation and with Father Zakaria anticipating his first public appearance in Europe, it is with a heavy heart that we must cancel the event, which was scheduled for Thursday, May 6, 2010 at 7:00 PM.
For reasons of numerous Islamic threats of violence and intolerable pressure upon our oriental Christian friends, insistence upon holding the event would be not only risky, but absolutely irresponsible.
We are saddened to discover that — in an allegedly free country such as Austria, and despite precautions taken by the authorities in a serious and professional manner — it is no longer possible to pursue critical clarity and tell the truth.
Father Zakaria is surely the highest-ranking and most profound critic of Islam. He does not merely reveal the theological and philosophical errors of Islam. For years, he has generously and successfully spread the spiritual offer of the joyous message of Jesus Christ among his beloved Muslim brethren.
We were aware that rejection of the false path of the “interreligious equality mania” is presently not considered “politically correct.” However, we hoped that an honest debate about truth in all possible forms of expression would be possible without violence, even in a time of relativistic destruction in the Republic of Austria.
Despite the disappointment, Father Zakaria’s heart is in Austria. His and our efforts toward a lasting order which rest upon the bases of peace, brotherly love, rule of law and prosperity must not die.
We regret any inconvenience this cancellation may cause you, and apologize for it.
Sincerely,
Vienna Akademikerbund
Citizens’ Movement Pax Europa
Community of Oriental Christians
4 comments:
This is outrageous! The Viennese authorities should provide protection for this brave man and his "orientalist friends"!
They must arrange it secretly and then publicise it AFTERWARDS!
I hope he comes to England.
A sad day for Westerndom. It's about time some zealots of a different persuasion started threatening mayhem anytime Anjem Chaudery or other cranks speak in public.
Cyrus: A sad day for Westerndom. It's about time some zealots of a different persuasion started threatening mayhem anytime Anjem Chaudery or other cranks speak in public.
Whatever visceral satisfaction that might be obtained from using similar intimidation tactics would be well overshadowed by allowing the enemy to further capitalize on its Right Wing Fascist™ mischaracterizations of those who protest against Islamization.
Far better would be to continue highlighting how Liberalism and Islam both exhibit a complete phobia to Free Speech and routinely resort to violence as a solution to nearly every problem.
It is the inability to engage in productive dialogue − be it due to Leftist cognitive dissonance or Muslim taqiyya − that must be hung like an albatross around the necks of these modern day Neanderthals.
Most astonishing of all is the world's generally mute response to this forcible silencing of dissent. It is as if the era of Soviet and Communist Chinese repression has been altogether forgotten or, worse yet, learnt from in the very worst way.
Europeans have already lost the greater part of any right to bear arms. The total loss of Free Speech would seal their coffin for good. This must not be allowed to stand.
Gates of Vienna, and beyond.
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