No new date was scheduled for its release and the reasons for its postponement have not been disclosed. The film, directed by Elli King and written by Sheikh Yasser Al-Habib, was to be released in theaters Dec. Al-Azhar leaders are not concerned with efforts to ban the film abroad and has nothing to do with the delay in its release.” “It simply expresses the Sharia opinion regarding the prohibition of embodying the prophet and his family members.
“Al-Azhar is not an authority that can ban or permit a film,” the source said on condition of anonymity. Inquiring about the possibilities of banning the film in Egypt or launching any media campaigns to prevent it from showing in Egypt or abroad, Al-Monitor talked to a source in the Al-Azhar Sheikhdom. The statement asserted that the release of this film consecrates the continued disrespect by the West and some Shiite extremists for the sanctities and beliefs of others.Īl-Azhar, however, did not announce any measures to try to ban the screening of the film, as demanded by social media activists. 27 through its adviser Mohammed Mehanna, confirming the steadfastness of Al-Azhar's position regarding the prohibition of the embodiment of the Prophet Muhammad, all prophets and the family members of the prophet (wives, daughters and sons). 2, several Egyptian and international newspapers reported that the film features the voice of the Prophet Muhammad as one of the storytellers of the film’s events.Ĭommenting on one of the news reports criticizing the film, Facebook user Ahmad Allam wrote, “They do not respect our faith or our sanctities, and when we get angry our religion and our Messenger, they say we are terrorists.” Omar Hindawi wrote, “This film should be immediately banned,” while Mona Mahmoud wondered about Al-Azhar’s position on “this humiliation?”Īl-Azhar, Sunni Islam's highest religious authority, issued a press statement Dec. The film sparked controversy due to its portrayal of the character of Fatima al-Zahra, the daughter of the Prophet Muhammad and wife of Ali bin Abi Talib, the fourth and last of the rightly guided caliphs following the death of the prophet. They urged the issuance of fatwas prohibiting its viewing and sent official demands to the United Kingdom to stop showing it worldwide. Similar to the Pakistani reaction, a number of social media activists, Al-Azhar scholars and sheikhs of the Salafist currents called for banning the screening of the film. The Pakistani ban has raised controversy in Egypt about this film. 5 the release of the controversial British film “ The Lady of Heaven.” They urged social media platforms to remove the trailer of the film.
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CAIRO - Pakistani authorities banned Jan.