Al-Azhar Ulama Call On Iran To Stop Film On Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

KUALA LUMPUR, May 14 (Bernama) -- The ulama (Islamic scholars) at the Al-Azhar University in Egypt have called on Iran to stop the ongoing production of a film on Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), saying that such a production is haram. According to Jordan news agency, Fact International’s website www.factjo.com, the Grand Sheikh of Al-Azhar, Ahmad Al-Tayeb, said that Al-Azhar ulama and followers of Sunnah Wal Jamaah (Sunnis) had rejected the production of the film, which was being produced by an Iranian filmmaker. "It is clearly an irresponsible act, just like the one committed by the western countries when they produced images insulting the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)," Ahmad was quoted as saying. The film is said to be focusing on Prophet Muhammad's (PBUH) life from childhood to prophethood. Meanwhile, Al-Azhar Advisor, Dr Hassan Al-Shafie, was reported by Egypt's daily, Al-Ahram, as saying that the production of the film would affect the faith of Muslims across the world. Hence, Islamic scholars in Iran should also play their roles to put a stop to it, he said. "Prior to this, Al-Azhar decided that it is haram to produce images of Prophet Muhammad's (PBUH) friends, and the Islamic Research Academy has also prohibited the production of images of any Prophet in any form of art," he added. -- BERNAMA