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| Demand for legal action against A R Rahman - Wiki pic. |
A Mumbai-based Sunni Muslim organisation has demanded action against composer A R Rahman for giving music to the controversial Iranian movie Muhammad: Messenger of God.
The movie, partially funded by Iran premiered in that country late last month, but is facing opposition and possible ban in other countries.
The Indian Express quoted Mohammed Saeed Noori of the Raza Academy, saying the movie is offensive as it uses the Prophet's name in the title. Photography is not allowed in Islam and it is blasphemous to depict the Prophet, he added.
The movie, the first part of a trilogy made by noted Iranian director Majid Majidi, does not show the Prophet's face and plays with the light and shadows to portray him.
Mohammed Saeed Noori's petition to Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis seeks a ban on the movie and legal action against composer A R Rahman, for “hurting the sentiments of Indian Muslims”.
At the heart of the controversy is the Sunni and Shia divide in the Muslim world. While both view Muhammad as the final prophet, Shias are seen as being more relaxed on religious depictions than Sunnis.