Saudi religious police eases criticism of cinema

The head of Saudi Arabia's religious police has eased his criticism of a return of cinema to the conservative Muslim country saying he saw no harm in it as long as what is shown complies with Islam.

Cinema made a low-key return in the Islamic kingdom after a three decade ban, but a sharp reaction by Ibrahim al-Ghaith, the religious police chief, showed efforts to relax tough religious laws face tough opposition.

But Ghaith, the kingdom's second-most influential cleric, changed his tone in favour of the moviegoing revival.

"We are not against having cinema if it shows the good and does not violate Islamic law," Al-Hayat newspaper quoted him on Sunday as saying.

It was unclear why Ghaith had apparently changed his approach and the religious police were not available for comment.

A locally produced comedy, "Menahi", premiered in two cultural centres in Jeddah and Taif this month before mixed-gender audiences, earlier a taboo in Saudi Arabia whose strict Islamic rules ban unrelated men and women from mixing.

Ghaith, who heads the morals police - called the Commission for Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice - demanded in remarks carried on Saturday by Saudi newspapers that cinema remains banned, calling it an evil the kingdom could do without.

"We have enough evil already," he was quoted as saying.

"Menahi", produced by billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal's media company Rotana, shows the comic escapades of a naive farmer earlier played on television by popular Saudi actor Fayez al-Maliki.

The film has attracted such large crowds that the film had to be played eight times a day over a 10-day period, the organisers said. It had to be stopped in Taif due to overcrowding in the hall, Rotana spokesman Ibrahim Badi said.

Showing the film was the latest attempt to introduce reforms by King Abdullah, who has said the world's largest oil exporter cannot stand still while the world changes around it.

Political analysts say Prince Alwaleed could not have gone ahead without the blessing of royals with key decision-making roles.

The kingdom's Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul-Aziz Al al-Shaikh has not commented on the issue.

Ghaith's religious police have wide powers to search for alcohol, drugs and prostitution, ensure shops are closed during prayer and maintain a strict system of sexual segregation in Saudi society, where women are even banned from driving.

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READERS' COMMENTS

Masha'Allah
Posted by T Crowe Semler, Kuwait City, Kuwait on Monday 22 December 2008 at 23:59 UAE time

Congratulations Ibrahim al-Ghaith. This statement is much more reasonable.
"We are not against having cinema if it shows the good and does not violate Islamic law"
The previous statement, "Our position on this is clear - ban it. That is because cinema is evil and we do not need it..." was a
sweeping indictments of the cinematic arts and that is unacceptable. It is not ALL evil.
There are many wonderful documentaries and films, which bring empowering messages to society. Docudramas make great films to entertain and educate people on the history of the world… good, bad, and indifferent.
Mass media and the film industry have the potential to help create a better society and a better world.
When we make things forbidden due to the power of a few people then society becomes a state of "propaganda", "mind control", and “Group think” without offering any redeeming intellectual discourse about positive proactive change which allows Islam to grow, breathe, and expanded into our modern global community.
Mr. Al Gaith Thank you for re-thinking your position Masha'Allah.
T Crowe Semler

RE:Saudi Arbia's complex society
Posted by joe simms on Monday 22 December 2008 at 22:10 UAE time

Just a comment on the previous comment. Well put and thank you. I'd vote for you to be in charge.

Saudi Arbia's complex society
Posted by Goran, Dubai, United Arab Emirates on Monday 22 December 2008 at 10:38 UAE time

"Ghaith's religious police have wide powers to search for alcohol, drugs and prostitution, ensure shops are closed during prayer and maintain a strict system of sexual segregation in Saudi society, where women are even banned from driving. "

All the while 8 year olds are married off...

May one hope for a campaign against child marriages in Saudi by Mr Al Gaith and other influential members of society? Existing pockets of stone age mentality, while not representing Saudi Arabia in general, must be rooted out. 42149

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