Iran threatens 'serious action' over BBC plans to screen documentary series on Muhammad

The BBC is courting controversy with its plans to broadcast a documentary series about Muslim prophet Muhammad. Three-part series The Life of Muhammad has already been blasted by officials in Iran, who claim the country will take 'serious action' if it is screened.

The Life of Muhammad will be presented by journalist Rageh Omaar

The Iranian minister of cultural and Islamic guidance, Mohammad Hosseini, who has yet to watch any of the series, has branded the film an attempt by the 'enemy' to 'ruin Muslims' sanctity'.

'The BBC's decision to make a documentary on the life of [the] prophet Muhammad seems dubious and if our suspicions are proved to be correct, we will certainly take serious action,' he told Iran's Fars news agency.

The documentary, to be broadcast in mid-July, just ahead of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan in August, will see journalist and TV presenter Rageh Omaar travel to the place of Muhammad's birth, Mecca, to re-trace the footsteps of the prophet.

However, the series will feature no visual images of Muhammad in a bid not to offend Muslims, whose religion forbids depiction of the prophet. Instead, a spoken description of Muhammad will be given, making this the first biographical documentary not to feature visual images of the subject.

The documentary will include three episodes, an hour each, on BBC 2. The film tells the 'extraordinary story of a man who, in little more than 20 years, changed the world forever', according to the blurb.

 

Part of the documentary is filmed in the holy cities of Mecca and Medina where non-Muslims are banned from entering

The first episode looks at the circumstances and society that Muhammad was born into, according to Riazat Butt from the Guardian.

She said that the film follows Muhammad's childhood and early years when he is orphaned and looked after by his uncle. 'The documentary does not shy away from contention but doesn't immerse itself in the details either,' said Ms Butt, who saw a screening attended by Muslim Mr Omaar in London today.

'The programme also addresses the issue of the satanic verses, not just the apocalyptic fall-out from the Rushdie book but the incident where a supposedly divine revelation - acknowledging pagan gods - was later withdrawn because it was designed as a test.'

She said that as an opening episode it's fairly heavy going if you're new to the finer points of Islamic theology or Islam.

'But it's well filmed, has plenty of access to the relevant sites and has a diverse line-up of talking heads - [authors] Karen Armstrong, Tariq Ramadan, Robert Spencer, Michael Nazir-Ali and Tom Holland,' she added.

The documentary-makers claims the film will raise questions about Islam's role in the world today and explore 'where Islam's attitudes towards money, charity, women, social equality, religious tolerance, war and conflict originate'.

Mr Omaar, the Middle Eastern correspondent for Al Jazeera English, said: 'I am extremely pleased to be presenting this exciting and groundbreaking series. 'The details of Muhammad's life really are little known, and I hope that my series will – for many – shine a light on the very beginning of Islam, taking viewers to the heart of this faith, illustrating just how Muhammad's life and legacy is as important today as it was a over a thousand years ago.'

The show was commissioned by the BBC's first Muslim head of Religion & Ethics, Aaqil Ahmed.

The BBC said: 'In line with Islamic tradition, it does not depict any images of the face of Muhammad, or feature any dramatic reconstructions of Muhammad's life.'

Source : Daily Mail UK