France: Concert Poster Censored When Paris Metro Hears It Is for the Benefit of “Christians of the Middle East”

France: A Concert Poster Is Censored When Paris Metro Hears It Is for the Benefit of “Christians of the Middle East”

From Le Figaro: 

The show in question, organized for the benefit of Eastern Christians, is scheduled for June 14 at the Olympia. But to the astonishment of Jean-Michel di Falco, the famous mention of Eastern Christians has simply disappeared. 

“I asked that this message appear on the display. But in the name of — supposed — secularism, it has been deleted. The president of the RATP called me to explain this, but I do not understand it. It should not be confused with secular fundamentalism,” said the bishop. 

Indeed, it is partly in the name of religious neutrality RATP justifies this censorship. 

“The agreement under which Metrobus provides advertising use of the RATP network prohibits any advertising of a political or religious nature,” says the board. A compelling argument if the rule was applied in all circumstances. 

Except that since the beginning of the week, people are noting that advertisements displayed on the subway and referring to Islam. 

Messages such as “Bon Ramadan,” a mobile phone offer with a woman wearing a veil, or movie poster Abd al Malik entitled “May Allah bless France” … RATP, contacted last night, was not able to provide any real explanation. 

Note: the indented text is a slightly edited Google Translate. RATP seems to be an abbreviation referring to the Paris metro (unable to quickly figure out what it means).