Fatwa Issued In Egypt Against Sculptures

The Muslim big cheese in Egypt has decided that home sculptures are "against Islam."

From Middle East Online with a hat tip to The Religion of Peace.

A fatwa issued by Egypt's top religious authority which forbids the display of statues has art-lovers fearing it could be used by Islamic extremists as an excuse to destroy Egypt's historical heritage.

Egypt's Grand Mufti Ali Gomaa, the country's top Islamic jurist, issued the religious edict which declared as un-Islamic the exhibition of statues in homes, basing the decision on texts in the hadith (sayings of the prophet).

Intellectuals and artists argue that the decree represents a setback for art - a mainstay of the multi-billion-dollar tourist industry - and would deal a blow to the country's fledgling sculpture business.

The fatwa did not specifically mention statues in museums or public places, but it condemned sculptors and their work.

Still, many fear the edict could prod Islamic fundamentalists to attack Egypt's thousands of ancient and pharaonic statues on show at tourist sites across the country.

How long will it be before the Sphinx gets blown to bits or the Pyramids leveled by some group of crazed Islamists? If they have not already been deemed as against Islam, how long can it be before some whacked Muslim cleric with a handfull of idolizing followers decides that they are?

After that, all bets are off.