“On Tuesday, the Deutsche Oper, one of Berlin’s three opera houses, announced the cancellation of a provocative production of a Mozart opera in hopes of avoiding potential Islamist terrorist attacks. The production would have included a scene depicting the severed head of Muhammad alongside those of other religious figures. But instead of avoiding controversy, the opera house’s decision has fuelled attacks — though from an altogether different source. Over the last 24 hours, Kirsten Harms, the Deutsche Oper’s chief director, has faced a constant barrage of incredulity and scorn from German public officials. The cancellation has been loudly condemned as a betrayal of basic German values and freedom of expression.” (story; also see this article for a particularly elegant discussion of why the Deutsche Opera’s decision was wrong)