Iran’s Ayatollah Khamenei Condemns Disrespect to Jesus Christ in Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony

Iran’s Ayatollah Khamenei Condemns Disrespect to Jesus Christ in Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has expressed strong disapproval over the portrayal of religious figures during the Paris 2024 Olympics opening ceremony.

Khamenei took to Twitter, stating, “Respect for #JesusChrist (peace be upon him) is an indisputable, definite matter for Muslims. We condemn these insults directed at the holy figures of divine religions, including Jesus Christ (peace be upon him).”

In response, Iran’s Foreign Ministry summoned the French ambassador to address the “insulting representation of Jesus Christ” during the Olympic opening ceremony, according to Iranian media reports.

Iran’s Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance also stressed that “Muslims revere Jesus as a prophet of God. The insulting portrayal of Jesus Christ in Paris yesterday was completely offensive and crossed all red lines.”

This reaction follows an apology from the Paris 2024 organizing committee to Catholics and other Christian groups who were outraged by a scene in the opening ceremony. The performance, which evoked Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper,” featured drag queens, a transgender model, and a singer made up as the Greek god of wine.