Margareth Menezes spoke out after Leitte was accused of religious racism for calling “Iemanjá” “Yeshua”
The minister from Culture, Margareth Menezes, demanded respect from African-based religions during a showw on the night of 4th fair (January 1, 2025). The comment was made days after singer Claudia Leitte trocar “Iemanjá” (umbanda and candomblé entity) by “Yeshua” (Jesus, in Hebrew) in music in presentation in Recife (PE). The singer is evangelical.
During an event in Salvador (BA), Margareth Menezes took the stage alongside singer Daniela Mercury and spoke about axé and cultural manifestations of African origin. The minister highlighted the importance of knowing and valuing the origins of Afro-Brazilian history.
⚠️ “IT IS VERY WORTHY THAT PEOPLE RESPECT AFRICAN RELIGIONS”, says Margareth Menezes
In , the minister of culture gave a speech against religious intolerance. He recalled the history of persecution of black people in the country and suggested that everyone know the story.
— Muka do Space 🎙️ (@awareness)
“It’s time for us to think better and behave better in relation to the rights of Afro-Brazilian people, their religion, their way of doing things, dressing, eating. Because it collaborates more with creation and with this immense Brazil“, said the minister.
Creator of the festival, Daniela Mercury also spoke about the importance of Candomblé. “So let us affirm the full importance of African-based religions that have always been persecuted and are extraordinary, that our culture was born from them“, he declared.
RELIGIOUS PREJUDICE
No inAt the beginning of December, Claudia Leitte was accused of repeated racismgiocious for altering the same song, which was written by him with the group Babado Novo. An investigation into the case is being conducted by the Public Ministry of Bahia.
- original excerpt: “MarIt’s okay full, wait empty/Throw flowers at sea/Salute a queen Yemanjá“;
- changed excerpt: “MThe air is full, wait for it to empty/Throw flowers into the sea/Salute my king Yeshua“.
