By Saliha Ozdemir
ISTANBUL (AA) – In an exclusive interview with Anadolu Agency, prominent Iranian film director Majid Majidi criticized Islamic scholars for issuing fatwas (religious edicts) against his new movie, “Muhammad: The Messenger of God”, which tells the story of the prophet’s childhood.
Majidi criticized Sunni scholars in Egypt and Saudi Arabia who have issued fatwas against the screening of his movie citing Islamic tenets banning depictions of the prophet.
“The same Ulama [Muslim scholars] who banned the movie won’t issue fatwas against terrorist countries that kill innocent people,” Majidi said.
It took Majidi seven years to complete the film, which is the biggest-budget production in Iranian cinematic history.
The director noted that a number of films have been made about the prophets Moses and Jesus, while only two have been made about Prophet Muhammad.
He says his film was meant to “give voice to the Muslim world in unison”.
“By making the movie, I wanted to unify the Muslim world,” he said.
“That’s why I avoided any aspects of the prophet’s life that could cause tension between Sunni and Shia scholars,” Majidi said.
“As I’m very aware of Muslims sensitivities, I didn’t depict the prophet’s image, even as a child — yet this is what I’ve been criticized for,” he said.
Majidi went on to complain that some scholars had issued fatwas banning his movie while ignoring insults to Islam and the prophet emanating from other parts of the world.
According to the director, his movie about the prophet’s life is now being screened in 40 countries around the world.
“I use cinema to convey my message to the public. It’s the best way to communicate the holy message,” he said.
Asked about his future plans, Majidi said he is now thinking about making a movie about refugee children.
“I’d like to bring attention to the kids who continue to suffer following the end of war,” he said.
Speaking about Turkish cinema in particular, Majidi believes that Turkish films and television — especially Turkish TV serials — reveal something of an “identity crisis”.
“They don’t reflect Turkey’s cultural values at all,” he said.
Anadolu Agency correspondent Ahmet Sait Akcay contributed to this story from Ankara
