RIYADH: NAWAL KSAR ARABNEWS
With the announcement almost three years ago about the production of a film portraying the life of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), the Iranian director Majeed Majeedi sparked a controversy all over the Islamic world. Now, as the film is ready for viewing, the temperature is rising.
First came the thought of presenting the Prophet’s (pbuh) personality, which is regarded inadmissible and undermines the religious values, as fatwas prohibit any depiction of the Prophet (pbuh) and his Companions.
The Iranian announcement about the film triggered resentment among Muslim scholars. Ahmed Al-Tayeb of Al-Azhar said that production of such a film is not permitted religiously.
A statement by Al-Azhar scholars and elders demanded a prohibition on the film for it violates Islamic laws, and a firm and decisive stance toward Iran. “We demand that Iran refrain from releasing the movie so that the image of the Prophet (pbuh) is not distorted in the minds of Muslims,” the statement said.
Al-Azhar Academy member Hamed Abu Taleb said that making such films is inappropriate for an Islamic country and explained that since there is no direct knowledge of the prophets’ personalities, any depiction of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) will differ from reality and will therefore be a lie. He said that Islamic Research Academy recommended that Egyptian satellite channels refrain from screening the film.
Senior adviser to the sheikh of Al-Azhar and the head of the Arabic Language Academy Hassan El-Shafei warned Iran against depicting the Last Prophet (pbuh) in artwork, and compared this irresponsible behavior to the publishing of the offensive cartoons of the Prophet (pbuh) in the West. He explained that the prophets and messengers, as well as the Prophet’s Companions, must not be depicted in artwork due to their sanctity, and warned that such act would cause a rift in the Islamic nation.
Addressing the Iranian authorities in charge of approving films, Al-Azhar’s Academy of Islamic Studies stressed that the Prophet (pbuh) and his Companions must not be depicted, so as to keep their image untainted in the Muslim minds and preserve Muslim unity. Al-Azhar clerics demanded the film not be screened.