Mumbai group issues fatwa against A R Rahman, Majidi for Prophet film

Objecting to an Iranian film Muhammad: Messenger of God, a Muslim group here has issued a fatwa against all those involved in the project, including renowned Iranian director Majid Majidi and music composer A.R. Rahman.

“We are against the title. People may use it in a bad manner if they don’t like the film, which will mean an insult to the Prophet. The actors have charged money to act in the film and they may have dubious character in real life. How can we Muslims allow such things to happen?” asked Saeed Noorie, chief of Raza Academy, which initiated the fatwa that was issued by Muhammad Akhtar – the chief mufti of Mumbai.

The fatwa against Mr. Majidi, Mr. Rahman and other co-workers of this film have asked them to read kalma again and solemnise their marriage once more. “They have erred and they must apologise,” he said.

When it was pointed out that most members of the film’s crew were Muslim, Mr. Noorie said that it was more important to make them realise their mistake. “We would have been criticised if we had condemned American or Danish filmmakers. If it’s an insult, then it is an insult and the person’s religion doesn’t matter,” he said.

Mr. Noorie said the Raza Academy will be meeting Home Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to demand a ban on this film in India. “We demand that the government file a case against Mr. Rahman for hurting the feelings of Muslims,” he said.

The fatwa also asks Muslims to stage protests against the film within the ‘legal’ limits and publicly condemn it.

The 56-year-old Majidi, one of Iran’s celebrated filmmakers along with Mohsen Makhmalbaf, has directed films like Children of Heaven, which was nominated for Best Foreign Film at the 1998 Academy Awards, The Color of Paradise, and Baran. He is also currently working on a film on Kashmir.