“Noah” Banned In UAE, Qatar And Bahrain

Officials say censors in Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar will ban the release of “Noah,” the upcoming big-budget Hollywood film featuring Russell Crowe as the ark-building prophet.

Egypt’s top Islamic body, the Al-Azhar institute, said last week that the big budget film violated Islam law by portraying a prophet- which is generally seen as taboo, and that this could “provoke the feelings of believers.”

Among Muslims, depictions of any prophets are ostracized to avoid worship of a person rather than God. Many Muslim majority countries also criminalize blasphemy.

Egypt has censored other movies in the past, including “The Da Vinci Code”, after protests from the Orthodox Coptic Church. But it did allow the screening of Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of Christ”, which depicts Jesus being crucified.

The 130 million USD production has already irritated some Christian institutions in the United States, with Crowe’s reportedly unconventional portrayal of Noah.

In March 2014, Paramount attached a disclaimer to all forms of advertising:
“The film is inspired by the story of Noah. 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.”

Agencies/Canadajournal