Controversy widens: British Cineworld cancel screening of the ‘Lady of Heaven’

Ishtiaq Ahmed

The screening of The Lady in Heaven which Muslims have claimed to be blasphemous and racist has been taken off by a UK cinema chain, after the cinema outlets were picketed by Muslims.

The statement by the Cineworld said that the decision to cancel all showings of The Lady of Heaven to is to ensure the safety of our staff and customers”.

Widespread protests and picketing of cinemas against the screening of the film have been held in almost major cities of the UK with Muslim Populations, including Bradford, Leeds, Sheffield, Birmmingham, Rochdale, Glasgow and others.

In addition, a nationwide petition to have the film removed was launched. The signing of the petition is quickly picking up the momentum already receiving over 125,000 signatures and climbing.

The cancellation was criticised by a House of Lords peer as being “disastrous for the arts, dangerous for free speech”.

The Lady of Heaven, released last Friday in the UK, claims to be the first film to put the “face” of the prophet Muhammad (PBUH) on screen. But the Guardians two -star review points out “No single actor is credited with playing him, or any of the other holy figures in his entourage. “

A review by the 5 Pillars, a Muslim news site has headlined the “Lady of Heaven: pure, unadulterated sectarian filth.” Its reviewer complained that the film compared three of the prophet’s closest companions to Isis.

A spokesperson from Cineworld said: “Due to recent incidents related to screenings of The Lady of Heaven, we have made the decision to cancel upcoming screenings of the film nationwide to ensure the safety of our staff”

Cineworld was due to screen the film in Bradford, Birmingham, Bolton, London (Ilford and O2 Greenwich), Glasgow Silverburn, Milton Keynes, Sheffield and Wolverhampton.

Vue, a rival cinema chain is being somewhat cagey about its intentions whether it will push ahead with the screening of the film at its listed venues in London and elsewhere:

“Decisions about how long a film remains on show are taken on a site-by-site basis and based on a variety of commercial and operational factors.”

The showing of the film has already been banned in Iran, Pakistan and Egypt Ian certain other countries will follow quickly.

The Muslim critics of the film maintain that the film is grotesquely blasphemous, racist and extremely in bad taste.

It is considered as being blasphemous and racist for the way it depicts the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his companions (May Allah be pleased with them all).

In its letter to the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) the Lancashire Council Mosques states, “The movie is blasphemous to Islam and of a racist nature. It is not based on historical facts and its contents go against our beloved noble Prophet (PBUH) and his companions who are held in high esteem to Muslim nations all over the world. The family of Prophet and his companions have been depicted by actors which once again is against the teachings of Islam”

Claire Fox, who sits in the House of Lords as Baroness Fox of Buckley, tweeted that the decision to cancel the screening showed the “creep of extra-parliamentary blasphemy law” was now censoring film.

She wrote: “Same ‘I Find that Offensive’ cancels culture arguments now being used far beyond campus activism. Disastrous for the arts, dangerous for free speech, a lesson to those who argue identity politics are no threat to democracy.”

Malik Shlibak, executive producer of the film, told the Guardian cinemas should “stand up and defend their right to show films that people want to see”.

“This is an artistic endeavour talking about and elaborating on history and religion, which always has a plethora of different takes and interpretations. That’s normal and healthy. We welcome this and we welcome people to express themselves, whether they’re for or against the film,”

“They have no right to do so and it’s something very dangerous. The general population really needs to be aware of this and stand up to this, because it is infringing and putting in danger their freedom of speech.”

Bradford Council for Mosques which masterminded the worldwide protests against the publication of the blasphemous ‘The Satanic Verses’ by the author Salman Rushdie in the 80’s and one of the most influential regional Muslim organisations, has issued the following statement:

“Islam is the second largest and a growing faith in the UK. The Prophet Muhammad and his companions are central to Muslims understanding of their identity, a powerful defining influence on their view of life and their relationship with the wider society in Britain.

Whereas we fully support the right of enquiry and scholarly critique of Islam or for that matter any other living faith, what we not support or encourage is caricaturing and misrepresentation of the core beliefs and the values that come from these. For Muslims, the Prophet and his companions are central to their belief and practice.

Therefore, any form of caricaturing and misrepresentation of these pillars of Islam is regarded blasphemous.

Britain is a multi-faith society. It warrant’s understanding and empathy from those who seek to explore and discover to enhance knowledge. This is only right and should be encouraged. But this is not an open license to vent or play out individual or collective prejudices.

Whereas, Muslims should exercise restraint, the critics of their faith should also be restrained in their treatment of Muslim sensibilities. The right of enquiry is not an open license to ridicule and offend.”

The BCFM statement goes on to conclude, “We must not allow ourselves to be divided at this time and continue to stand in solidarity as Muslims”