Those who booked free tickets to the Festival of Hope, held by Christian congregations in Iceland and the Billy Graham School of Missions and Evangelism, have received a notice from booking website midi.is that their tickets have been made invalid.
Archive photo: Páll Stefánsson/Iceland Review.
The festival, which is to be held in Laugardalshöll in Reykjavík next month, has caused controversy as the main speaker will be U.S. evangelist and missionary Franklin Graham, who is known for his anti-gay marriage views and opposition of Islam, ruv.is reports.
In protest of the festival, a number of people booked free tickets on midi.is with the intention of not going and urged others to do the same on Facebook.
Yesterday, Bishop of Iceland Agnes Sigurðardóttir announced her decision to go ahead with her plans to speak at the festival to highlight the importance of collaboration between Christian congregations in Iceland.
Anna Pála Sverrisdóttir, chair of Samtökin 78, the National Queer Organization, declared her disappointment with the bishop’s decision and reasoning.
“I find … that she is indicating that she prioritizes the collaboration of Christian congregations above sending a clear message on siding with minority groups whose human rights are being brutally violated around the world,” Anna Pála told ruv.is.
Related:
28.08.2013 | Bishop of Iceland to Speak at Controversial Festival
09.08.2013 | Anti-Gay Marriage Preacher Causes Controversy in Iceland
ESA
