Middle-East countries block release of the movie "Noah"

Islam is really putting up barriers to the arts. If there is any reason why their societies remain backward, it is because of their practice in upholding their religion.

Cheers!

http://www.calgarysun.com/2014/03/06/middle-east-censors-block-release-of-biblical-epic-noah

Middle East censors block release of Biblical epic 'Noah'

LOS ANGELES - Paramount’s big-budget Bible epic “Noah” starring Russell Crowe won’t be seen in the Middle East.
Censors in Qatar, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates have told the studio that they will not allow its release in their countries because “it contradicts the teachings of Islam,” a source with knowledge of the situation told TheWrap Thursday.
Film officials in Egypt, Jordan and Kuwait are expected to ban the film as well.
Egypt’s Sunni Muslim institute Al-Azhar issued a statement on “Noah” Thursday.
“Al-Azhar renews its rejection to the screening of any production that characterizes Allah’s prophets and messengers and the companions of the Prophet. Therefore, Al-Azhar announces the prohibition of the upcoming film about the Allah’s messenger Noah - peace be upon him.”
This ban does not mean the film will take a major financial hit - The Middle East makes up a very minor portion of the box office returns for most Hollywood movies.
But it’s the latest bump in what’s been a rocky road on the way to ‘Noah’s’ March 28 rollout in the U.S., with debuts in several foreign markets ahead of that.
Paramount changed the marketing materials for the film last week - without telling director Darren Aronofsky - under pressure from Christian groups, who felt the studio needed to make clear that the film was inspired by the Biblical story, and not a recounting.
Last week, the studio added a disclaimer to the film and all its marketing materials after months of conversations between the studio and religious leaders.
“The film is inspired by the story of Noah,” the statement added to the film at the request of National Religious Broadcasters, reads. “While artistic license has been taken, we believe that this film is true to the essence, values, and integrity of a story that is a cornerstone of faith for millions of people worldwide. The biblical story of Noah can be found in the book of Genesis.”

why wanna ban noah? i tot their quran copy from the bible.

some more changed by muhammad ali....WTFish?

Uh Muslims dont allow bible production?

Some elders in the religion said that graphical depictions of Islamic prophets are un-Islamic. Hence their staunch adherents have not produced any works of art which depict characters in their written works. Unlike Christianity and other religions where there are numerous statues and drawings of their sages and deities contributing to rich and varied artworks many of which have become valuable artworks and enriched their societies.

Cheers!

sochi2014 said:

why wanna ban noah? i tot their quran copy from the bible.

some more changed by muhammad ali....WTFish?

Click to expand...

hope my new book will be allowed in Middle East..........

title........''Allah-mak, I-Slam Moose-Limps''

You should be present to personally autograph your publications during your launch promotions there. Will add a touch of personal attention and garner appreciation from your fans. Good luck!

Cheers!

GOD IS MY DOG said:

hope my new book will be allowed in Middle East..........

title........''Allah-mak, I-Slam Moose-Limps''

Click to expand...

Even with the help of google search, you will find it hard to find one famous islamic artist or sculptor. Bali is unique region in a vast islamic nation where you can find many skillful handicraftmen. Ah-lah not forbides ? I guess ah lah missed out Bali.

There was a time in the past (long ago) when the Islamic world surged ahead technologically and made progress and the rest of the world even turned their direction to pick up knowledge in mathematics, sciences, animal husbandry. But for some reason, time stood still and remained stagnant for them. Worse, today many Islamic societies are even turning their thinking to the old ways and justify right from wrong by ancient thinking. Never been to Bali as I feel they have strong resentment towards bars and pubs, don't want to be there drinking beer when a bomb goes off in the pub. Allah already missed out on the entire Islamic nations who have to look to foreign influence in order to progress.

Cheers!

currypuff said:

Even with the help of google search, you will find it hard to find one famous islamic artist or sculptor. Bali is unique region in a vast islamic nation where you can find many skillful handicraftmen. Ah-lah not forbides ? I guess ah lah missed out Bali.

Click to expand...

Indonesia decides to joins other muslim countries too! Pledging solidarity with their bros.

Cheers!

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2014/03/25/censor-bans-hollywood-s-biblical-epic.html

Censor bans Hollywood’s biblical epic

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Headlines | Tue, March 25 2014, 9:08 AM

Following the lead from some Middle Eastern countries, the Film Censorship Institute (LSF) has decided to ban Hollywood’s retelling of the biblical tale, Noah, deeming it too controversial based on religious grounds.

LSF chairman Mukhlis Paeni said that the institute’s members considered several elements in the film contradicted basic teachings in the Islamic holy book, the Koran.

“Almost all Muslim countries have decided to ban the film. We, too, found elements in the story that contradicted the holy book, so we have decided to prohibit the screening of the film,” Mukhlis said on Monday.

When pressed by The Jakarta Post to say which parts of the movie contradicted the Koran, Mukhlis merely said: “We are just following what other Middle Eastern countries have done.”

Mukhlis said the LSF was concerned that the film could cause problems if it was given the go-ahead. “We are worried that violent protests could occur,” he said.

With this decision, the LSF has also banned the distribution of Noah in all physical formats, such as DVDs and VCDs, as well as Internet downloads.

“People can go abroad to watch the film,” he said.

As for preventing pirated versions of the movie, Mukhlis said that was under the purview of the National Police.

Unconfirmed reports also claim that the LSF is ready to slap a ban on Son of God, another Hollywood retelling of the Bible.

However, Mukhlis said the LSF had yet to issue a decision on the film, which tells the story of the life of Jesus.

Censorship boards in Qatar, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates have informed Paramount Pictures, which released Noah, that they will not be screening the film.

Paramount expects Egypt, Jordan and Kuwait to also ban the film.

In Egypt, leading Sunni Muslim institute Al-Azhar said it rejected the screening of any production that characterized Allah’s prophets, messengers or companions of the Prophet Muhammad.

In Egypt, the film has also come under fire from several church leaders for its dark portrayal of Noah, played by Russell Crowe.

Contacted separately, Dian Sunardi Munaf, marketing director for PT Graha Layar Prima, the company that operates the Blitzmegaplex cinema chain, confirmed that the firm had received instructions from the LSF not to screen Noah.

“The latest information I have is that Blitzmegaplex is not going to screen the movie. That’s all I can tell you,” she said.

Dian added, however, that the release of Son of God remained on schedule for April 28. “We haven’t received any letter from the LSF about Son of God,” she said. (gda)