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July 08, 2011
Iran Threatens 'serious action' Over BBC Plans To Screen Documentary Series On Muslim Prophet Muhammad
Iran threatens 'serious action' over BBC plans to screen documentary series on Muslim prophet Muhammad
The BBC is courting controversy with its plans to broadcast a documentary series about Muslim prophet Muhammad.
Three-part series The Life of Muhammad has already been blasted by officials in Iran, who claim the country will take ‘serious action’ if it is screened.
The Iranian minister of cultural and Islamic guidance, Mohammad Hosseini, who has yet to watch any of the series, has branded the film an attempt by the ‘enemy’ to ‘ruin Muslims’ sanctity’.
‘The BBC’s decision to make a documentary on the life of [the] prophet Muhammad seems dubious and if our suspicions are proved to be correct, we will certainly take serious action,’ he told Iran’s Fars news agency.
The documentary, to be broadcast in mid-July, just ahead of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan in August, will see journalist and TV presenter Rageh Omaar travel to the place of Muhammad’s birth, Mecca, to re-trace the footsteps of the prophet.
However, the series will feature no visual images of Muhammad in a bid not to offend Muslims, whose religion forbids depiction of the prophet.
Instead, a spoken description of Muhammad will be given, making this the first biographical documentary not to feature visual images of the subject.
The documentary will include three episodes, an hour each, on BBC 2.
The film tells the 'extraordinary story of a man who, in little more than 20 years, changed the world forever', according to the blurb.
Part of the filming takes place in holy cities Mecca and Medina where non-Muslims are banned from entering.
The first episode looks at the circumstances and society that Muhammad was born into, according to Riazat Butt from the Guardian.
She said that the film follows Muhammad's childhood and early years when he is orphaned and looked after by his uncle.
'The documentary does not shy away from contention but doesn't immerse itself in the details either,' said Ms Butt, who saw a screening attended by Muslim Mr Omaar in London today.
'The programme also addresses the issue of the satanic verses, not just the apocalyptic fall-out from the Rushdie book but the incident where a supposedly divine revelation - acknowledging pagan gods - was later withdrawn because it was designed as a test.'
She said that as an opening episode it's fairly heavy going if you're new to the finer points of Islamic theology or Islam.
'But it's well filmed, has plenty of access to the relevant sites and has a diverse line-up of talking heads - [authors] Karen Armstrong, Tariq Ramadan, Robert Spencer, Michael Nazir-Ali and Tom Holland,' she added.
The documentary-makers claims the film will raise questions about Islam's role in the world today and explore 'where Islam's attitudes towards money, charity, women, social equality, religious tolerance, war and conflict originate'.
Mr Omaar, the Middle Eastern correspondent for Al Jazeera English, said: 'I am extremely pleased to be presenting this exciting and groundbreaking series.
'The details of Muhammad's life really are little known, and I hope that my series will – for many – shine a light on the very beginning of Islam, taking viewers to the heart of this faith, illustrating just how Muhammad's life and legacy is as important today as it was a over a thousand years ago.'
The show was commissioned by the BBC's first Muslim head of Religion & Ethics, Aaqil Ahmed.
The BBC said: 'In line with Islamic tradition, it does not depict any images of the face of Muhammad, or feature any dramatic reconstructions of Muhammad's life.'
Wild Thing's comment........
The film tells the 'extraordinary story of a man who, in little more than 20 years, changed the world forever', according to the blurb.
Needs rewriting: The film tells the 'extraordinary story of a psychotic paedophile who, in little more than 20 years, ruined the lives of billions forever.'
Posted by Wild Thing at July 8, 2011 05:50 AM
Comments
Great rewrite, WT.
So what exactly is Iran going to do? Go to the UN? hold protests in front of BBC headquarters? Throw a few rocks, break a few windows?
All this does is show how far back in time, that country is, under the leadership of the Mullahs.
It is really hard to believe, that that part of the world, is considered the, "Cradle of Civilization".
I have had the opportunity to speak with a number of Persians, who have immigrated to this country, legaly, I might add. Their stories of the amount of repression and terror meted out by the leaders in that country, to those who chose to oppose, is incredible.
There is a large segment of the population of Iran who want the opportunity to self govern. This has been proven by the large scale anti-government demonstrations, over the past couple of years.
Obama had the opportunity to render aid and support to the demonstrators, a couple of years ago.
He blew it and we lost a chance to see a strong democracy evolve in the Middle East. If Iran becomes a Democracy, the whole attitude of the Middle East changes dramatically.
The past few Administrations, starting with Carter, have stood on the sidelines and done nothing. Now we face a nation with nuclear capabilities, a vowed enemy committed to eliminating Israel, and making not too veiled threats against us.
Now we have a President, who at one time wanted to sit down, chat with their leaders, and reach an understanding. I have no doubt that he still feels that way. That's what Community Organizers do, don't they?
Posted by: Sean at July 8, 2011 10:36 AM
Wouldn't it be nice to witness on live TV, the execution of a traitor more diabolical than mussolini and adolf combined? Well I certainly would.
Posted by: Eddie (Enemy of the State) at July 8, 2011 05:28 PM
Your comment on the post is most accurate.
"The film tells the 'extraordinary story of a psychotic paedophile who, in little more than 20 years, ruined the lives of billions forever.'"
Posted by: Bob A. at July 8, 2011 06:24 PM
Sean, thank you so much for sharing that. I met a few Persians. Their stories were so horrible about how Iran. Each one of these that came to America would get very serious when they said how much they appreciated being able to become an American and they hoped more of their family could make it here.
Those that stayed behind and are activists are in real danger every day.
Thakns again Sean for sharing about those that you have met. I think there are some real heroes we never hear about.
Posted by: Wild Thing at July 9, 2011 02:09 AM
Sean, thank you so much for sharing that. I met a few Persians. Their stories were so horrible about how Iran. Each one of these that came to America would get very serious when they said how much they appreciated being able to become an American and they hoped more of their family could make it here.
Those that stayed behind and are activists are in real danger every day.
Thakns again Sean for sharing about those that you have met. I think there are some real heroes we never hear about.
Posted by: Wild Thing at July 9, 2011 02:09 AM
Eddie,yes I would go for that.
Posted by: Wild Thing at July 9, 2011 02:12 AM
Bob A., good to see you. Thanks Bob.
Posted by: Wild Thing at July 9, 2011 02:14 AM
