This feature film tells the story of the daughter of the Prophet Muhammad, Fatima Zahra, wife of Ali, the first Shiite imam.
Article written by
Posted
Update
Reading time : 1 min.
Morocco has banned the screening of the British film The Lady of Paradise (The Lady of Heaven)considered as “blasphemous” in several Muslim countries, according to an official press release published on Saturday June 11. “The Moroccan Cinematographic Center (CCM) has decided not to grant an authorization to the film The Lady of Paradise of its director Eli King and its author Yasser Al Habib and to prohibit its commercial or cultural projection on the national territory”, says the press release. This feature film tells the story of the daughter of the Prophet Muhammad, Fatima Zahra, wife of Ali, the first Shiite imam.
The CCM is responsible for granting exploitation visas for films shot in Morocco or abroad for theatrical distribution. “in accordance with the law” and provided that they are not “not contrary to the constants and the sacredness of the kingdom”. His decision comes after the Superior Council of Ulemas, the official body in charge of issuing Fatwas (religious opinions), “firmly condemned” the content of the movie. In a statement, the Council of Ulemas, which is chaired by King Mohammed VI, denounces “the flagrant falsification of established facts of the history of Islam”. “This falsification of facts, which harms Islam and Muslims, is rejected by all peoples, because it does not serve their higher interests among nations, especially in these times,” emphasizes the religious statement.
Released on June 3 in the United Kingdom, the film was deprogrammed by the Cineworld channel after gatherings of Muslims outside the cinemas where it was shown. “Due to recent incidents related to the projection of The Lady of Heavenwe have decided to cancel upcoming screenings of the film nationwide to ensure the safety of our teams and customers,” said a spokesperson for the group, which is mainly present in the United Kingdom and the United States.
This British drama film, directed by Eli King, presents itself as the first to tackle the character of Fatima Zahra, the daughter of the Prophet Muhammad and wife of Ali, the first Shiite imam. Describing Muhammad’s succession struggle after his death, he was judged “blasphemous” in Egypt, Pakistan, Iran and Iraq, in particular.