World

Saudi Arabia's top cleric slams Iran's movie on Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)

Iran's most expensive movie depicts the prophet (pbuh) on screen, an act that is prohibited in Sunni Islam

Afp September 02, 2015

iranian actress sareh bayat working on the set of the film quot muhammad quot the first part of a trilogy on the life of the prophet muhammad pbuh photo afp

Iranian actress, Sareh Bayat working on the set of the film "Muhammad", the first part of a trilogy on the life of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). PHOTO: AFP

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's top cleric hit out at Iranian film "Muhammad" on Wednesday describing its portrayal of the Prophet Muhammad's (pbuh) childhood as a "hostile act" and a "distortion" of Islam.

Iran's most expensive movie, which opened nationwide in the Shia Islamic republic last week, depicts the prophet (pbuh) on screen, an act that is prohibited in Sunni Islam.

"This is an obscene work... It is a distortion of Islam," Saudi Arabia's Grand Mufti Abdulaziz al-Sheikh told Al-Hayat newspaper. "It is a hostile act against Islam.

"This is a mockery of the prophet and a degradation of his status," he said.

Shia Iran and Sunni Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of Islam and home to its two holiest sites, are regional rivals and frequently accuse each other of seeking to destabilise the Middle East.

The Mecca-based Muslim World League also condemned the movie, insisting that portraying the prophet (pbuh) is prohibited.

The league's secretary general Abdullah al-Turki urged Tehran to "suspend and prevent the screening of the movie" and called on Muslims to boycott it.

While Iran has denounced cartoons of the prophet (pbuh) like those published by French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, Shias are generally more relaxed than Sunnis about depiction of religious figures.

Directed by Majid Majidi, the visually stunning 171-minute film cost around $40 million (36 million euros), partly funded by the state, and took more than seven years to complete.

Majidi says the aim of his work, the first part of a trilogy, is to reclaim the rightful image of Islam, which he said extremists have distorted.

COMMENTS (21)

Ammar Ahmed | 9 years ago | Reply I think before commenting either way muslims should do a research about islamic theology about this aspect and then try to pass their opinion including myself.

HAMID | 9 years ago | Reply @Fizza Kazmi: exactly ... that's right

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Fizza Kazmi | 9 years ago | Reply Does the cleric have nothing better to do??? worrying about a film that is actually pro Islam and shows the religion in a positive light...

Je Suis Charlie | 9 years ago | Reply It is time somebody put a leash on religious terrorism.

Chaigram | 9 years ago | Reply Please watch the movie before making any judgement. This Movie can have lots of merit for international audience and will help repair the negative image of Islam. As for the Saudi cleric statement............really who cares, they have done enough damage to Islam. They should just shut up.

Chitral wala | 9 years ago | Reply But ..but..see..well..This Grand Mullah from Saudia never said anything about ISIS. He never condemned ISIS. Because the Wahabi/Khawariji Kingdom supported this abomination, plague. So this mother of all mullahs said nothing? He kept quite? But now he is talking, because it has to do with Shias.

Lathee Charge | 9 years ago | Reply @Abdul Jabbar: Well, for starters, you can remove all photos from your home, stop watching TV and your computer, ipad, etc, and movies depicting living things ! Once you have done all that, you can consider yourself a truly 'pious and righteous' human being, and pontificate your extreme take on this and that.

vinsin | 9 years ago | Reply Where is riots and protests? Had this done by a non-muslims, muslims around the world would have gone frenzy?

Zahid | 9 years ago | Reply Very shameful act, Iran must stop this film and ban on world wide

Jabba the Hutt | 9 years ago | Reply @abdulJabbar We all know what "suitable actions should be taken against the film industry" means. So if you want to be a psycho extremist...don't be such a sneak about it.

Salman - SK | 9 years ago | Reply And, what is respectable Grand Mufti Abdulaziz al-Sheikh's views on the correctness, according to Islam, of inherited kingship and King's usurping the wealth of the country for his family and clan??? I doubt he can afford to give his views on that subject and still remain as the Grand Mufti.

Misbah Malik | 9 years ago | Reply We all think about certain matters in our own capacity. Have we seen the movie yet? No, Then we cannot comment . Why didn't bother about the movies made earlier.

Z A | 9 years ago | Reply Why to start/support something that is surely gonna hurt the sentiments of other. Turmoil or peace, the choice is simple.

Toori | 9 years ago | Reply How you will teach non muslims about your religion. First divert their mind toward Islam. I think this is the best way to do. Now a days people do not want to read books. This is the only way to educate muslims and non-muslims. I think its pros outweigh its cons. This is not blasphemous act. In future where ever people see the Kalma Taiba they will only remind beheading and torture because ISIS uses flag of Kalma when ever they do crimes.

Asif | 9 years ago | Reply Excellent work Iran. It is the dire need of time to demonstrate true face of Islam as extremists have distorted it badly.

Waj | 9 years ago | Reply How is this blasphemy ?

Abdul Jabbar | 9 years ago | Reply This is a total blasphemous act, presented by Muslims. we Muslims were boycotting for the blasphemous acts of western world, but what had happened to us now? whatever the cost of film is it should be banned through out the globe and suitable actions should be taken against the film industry.

ExpensiveTruth | 9 years ago | Reply @zK: Lets first protest at all levels on misinterpretation of Islam by the terrorists. Lets first protest against people whole call them "mujahideen". Set your priorities right! I understand that a sect of Islam is against the depiction of Holy Personalities. But, also bring into account that this movie is not a negative Depiction.

The Book Says | 9 years ago | Reply Who is he to issue such statements? He should be issuing and implementing statements frequently against ISIS and Boko Harams who have hijacked the religion. Can he do that instead of this thing? Also children are dying in Yemen can he do something about that? I bet not! Are we getting ready for another Charlie Hebdo now. I hope not.

Rollin & Trollin | 9 years ago | Reply @zK: Why ?

zK | 9 years ago | Reply This is highly objectionable! This has got nothing to do with tolerance. Its plain blasphemy and a protest should be launched at all levels.I am sure even the shia community is as much against this.

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