Iranian director Majid Majidi said that his latest movie on the childhood of the Prophet Muhammad (S) seeks solidarity among all Muslims.
Speaking to the media on Wednesday on the set of “Muhammad (S)” near the central Iranian city of Qom, Majidi made the remarks in response to Al-Azhar’s efforts to halt the film’s production.
“We consulted with many Shia and Sunni ulama before and during the production of the film,” he said.
“So we chose a subject of the life of the Prophet (S), in which Muslims have no difference,” he added.
“I am aware of the sensitivities over the life of the Prophet (S)… Today we should introduce the proper perception of Islam to the world and our friends in Al-Azhar should be concerned about the lack of cultural works in this area,” he stated.
Majidi along with a number of the world’s professionals began producing the film, which is the most expensive film project to date produced in Iran, in 2011.
Afterwards, Al-Azhar’s Islamic Research Academy issued a statement asking Iran to prevent the movie’s release.
“We demand that Iran refrain from releasing the movie, so that an undistorted image of the Prophet can be preserved in the minds of Muslims. We call upon all filmmakers to respect religions and Prophets,” said the statement.
The movies will premiere at the opening ceremony of the 33rd Fajr Film Festival in Tehran on February 1.
Photo: Director Majid Majidi attends a press conference in the set of his latest film “Muhammad (S)” near Qom on January 7, 2015. (Mehr/Sina Shiri)
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