Saudi top cleric slams Iran prophet movie

AFP, RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s top cleric hit out at Iranian film “Muhammad” yesterday describing its portrayal of the prophet’s childhood as a “hostile act” and a “distortion” of Islam.
Iran’s most expensive movie, which opened nationwide in the Shiite Islamic republic last week, depicts the prophet 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 Abulaziz al-Shaikh 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.
While Iran has denounced cartoons of the prophet like those published by French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, Shiites 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.

Saudi top cleric slams Iran prophet movie

AFP, RIYADH: Saudi Arabias top cleric hit out at Iranian film Muhammad yesterday describing its portrayal of the prophets childhood as a hostile act and a distortion of Islam. Irans most expensive movie, which opened nationwide in the Shiite Islamic republic last week, depicts the prophet on screen, an act that is prohibited in Sunni Islam. This is an obscene work... It is a distortion of Islam, Saudi Arabias Grand Mufti Abulaziz al-Shaikh 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. While Iran has denounced cartoons of the prophet like those published by French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, Shiites 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.