New Delhi: A fatwa has been issued against AR Rahman for his involvement in the Iranian film titled 'Muhammad: Messenger of God' that was released this year. The fatwa was issued by a Mumbai based Sunni Muslim group called Raza Academy.
The fatwa, which also targets the director of the film Majid Majidi, asks Muslims to reject the film. It also declares that Rahman, Majidi and other Muslims working on the film have committed sacrilege. According to the fatwa, they will have to atone by reading the kalima and solemnising their marriage again.
The group had even written to the Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, seeking a ban on the film.
Their objections to the film include the use of Mohammed in the title and the portrayal of Mohammed on screen even though the film did not depict his face. The group is also upset that non-Muslims are playing some key roles in the film.
The film by the celebrated Iranian director Majidi is the first in a trilogy on the life of Prophet Mohammed. AR Rahman, who composed the music for the film, has not responded to the controversy so far.
