A new gargoyle was put up on the Lyon cathedral, the seat of the Archbishop of Lyon, in honor of Benzizine Ahmed, the Muslim foreman who led the restoration work on the cathedral tower. The gargoyle stands over a sign saying "Allah Akbar" (God is greatest) in both Arabic and French." 'Allah Akbar', everybody agrees with that! It's not as if we wrote that Mohammed is our prophet..." says one of the diocese people. Father Cacaud, rector of the cathedral, wouldn't confirm that agreement was given by the archbishop. The diocese spokespeople said that the builders sometimes take certain liberties outside the sacred area.Repellin Didier, head architect for historical monuments, says the stonemasons and sculptures of the cathedral have a tradition to portray the people they esteem. Ahmed, who worked for 30 years on the cathedral, is competent and very humble. A quiet man who is appreciated. It's a beautiful human gesture, says Didier.
The extreme right is up in arms... "Ce qui vient au monde pour ne rien troubler ne mérite ni égards ni patience." René Char
up in arms...
Some fool will take a potshot at it.
Banned in the UK for copyright reasons, bought at an anonymous mall stop in California.
It somehow survived three weeks in a car with blistering temperatures in the desert, bear attacks in Yosemite, a visit to Vegas, and the death of Elvis.
I was 14. I still have it downstairs.
