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Name
Sarah
-
Profession
Question
Many can not be convinced that the ethical concept should determine our acceptance whether to watch movies or not, what do think about that?
Answer
Salaamualaikum Sarah. Thanks for the question. I wonder first what you mean by "ethical concept?" Are you asking if it's ethically, or morally proper to watch movies?
If so, then I think that is an individualistic choice based on what we deem is proper for ourselves. No one can argue that the majority of images, themes and dialogues on the big screen are haram.
But there are good things ( educational and entertaining ) that we can partake in. I think the choice we make to watch a movie or not require some background work. One should read reviews for a film, ask around, and not go by what they just see on the television commercials. That will help determine whether a movie is worth watching, because there are some good ones out there, especially in the independent market.But as always, Allah knows best.
I hope that answers your question, Sarah
Name
Dina
- United States
Profession
Question
Until now why we can hardly find the American Muslims engaging with the movies industry in Hollywood?!!
Answer
Salaamualaikum Dina. Great question and it brings a lot of things to mind. First let me preface by saying I review movies here from New York, and am not a Hollywood expert. That being said, I think it's safe to say that the Hollywood movie industry is an interesting type of animal!. It's a closed atmosphere that's difficult to break into for anyone, and even harder for Muslims.
The vast majority of the movie-watching audience in America are non-Muslim, and therefore don't have much of an interest in issues and storylines that are important to us. And since Hollywood caters to the majority, I think the movie industry execs probably don't give that much of chance to American Muslims wanting a voice in big pictures.
That being said, I think now, especially after 9/11 the market is opening up a bit. It's all about baby steps. I've found less obvious Muslim stereotypes in big films than before (when we were smothered with anti-Muslim, anti-Arab stereotypical villains in many big blockbusters.)
American Muslims are engaging more, and they are being welcomed more. And those steps are first coming on the small screen, on television, before it hits the big screen. TV is sort of a microcosm of the new landscape for Muslim presence.It's like an example for hopefully can happen on the big screen soon.
Name
Noureddone
- Belgium
Profession
helpdesk
Question
Is it not better boycotting all American movies ? We have many European movies which are far more intelligent.
Thank you for the answer.
Answer
I don't quite agree with the idea of boycotting all American movies. A lot of American movies do cater to just mind-numbing entertainment, like violent action-adventure movies, or pure comedic movies. And I can see how these films can't really be considered intelligent. But you have to ask yourself, why do you see a movie?
Is it to learn something about the human experience, is it to be entertained? Or for both?!!
There are a small number of American movies out there with something good to offer, whether for learning purposes or for entertainment. There are intelligent, clever films in this country as well (Mel Gibson's "Signs" comes to mind).
I think boycotting should be done for individual films, like when American Muslims took insult against Arnold Schwarzenegger's "True Lies" and Bruce Willis's "The Siege," and boycotted that.
Name
IIng
- Malaysia
Profession
PhD student
Question
Assalamu`alaikum, dear Sir,
How can islam describe that watching sex movie is prohibited (haram)?
Answer
Wallaikum salaam. First two things , I am not a Mufti or an Islamic scholar. (And also not a Sir !) With this in mind, I think it's quite obvious that it is wrong to watch sex movies or sex scenes in movie. Islam, mashallah, teaches us to be so modest that we should not even look at the opposite sex; we should never entertain such thoughts about others. So of course we shouldn't watch such scenes on the silver screen, nor on the television screen.
Editor:
This session is not dedicated to Fatwas. You can re-submit your question to our Fatwa service.
You can find more details about such issues at the following fatwas:
Does an image of animated thing in a movie fall in the criteria as prohibited (haram)like still pictures of animated things?
Answer
Salaamualaikum, Good question. But for me to say if an image of an animated subject on the screen is prohibited (haram) would be like me passing judgment. And I am not qualified to give a fatwa. So I don't think I'm the right person to answer this question. Sorry.
Editor:
This session is not dedicated to Fatwas. You can re-submit your question to our Fatwa service.
Name
Abdallah
- Algeria
Profession
Question
What does make the cinema different from any other art? Can you mention any examples reflecting how the cinema helps the people to advance their causes and defend their rights?
Answer
Salaamualaikum. Great question. The cinema has a very broad reach than many other forms of art. And the independent film industry, in particular, has a wonderful history and reputation of helping people to advance their causes.
In America every year there is the Human Rights Watch Film Festival, which premieres in New York each June and then travels all over the country. All the films in that festival advances some cause or another and the past few years up to a third of the films shown there deal with some Muslim story or cause.Visit www.hrw.org for more info.
Also, last year at the 25th annual Asian American film festival, for the first time an Islamic-themed movie was the opening night movie. That film was "New Moon," which highlighted the plight of Muslims fighting for independence in Malaysia.
Name
Fazlur Rahman Lafir
- Sri Lanka
Profession
Student
Question
Assalamu Alaikum
Nowadays rarely do we get movies free from violence and obscene scenes. However certain films do carry good messages in effective manner. Is it permitted to watch them in Islam ?
Answer
Wallaikum salaam. Again, I can't say what is permitted or not in Islam since I'm not a scholar. But if you refer to my previous answers, you'll see what I think: That there definitely are movies out there with worthwhile messages. I think there are things we can learn for our own good from certain movies and things we can enjoy as well.
That's why I watch movies -- to enjoy and learn -- you just have to be careful what you pick and choose. But as to if it's "permitted" by Islam, you'll have to ask a proper scholar about that. Thanks.
Name
Huda
- Afghanistan
Profession
student
Question
Asalaamu-o-Alaikum,
How can we protest against the unfair western and eastern movies in which they show Muslims as terrorists and uncivilized people? Most of the recent movies are lies against muslims and the religion Islam. Is there a way to stop or protest against those movie makers? It is very frustrating to see such biased pictures.
Thank you
WalikumSalaam
Answer
Salaam Huda. I totally agree with your frustration about the blatant stereotypes against Muslims in many big screen movies. I've known of two protests in the past few years (mentioned in one of my previous answers) that made headlines in this country.
Muslims rallied against Arnold Schwarzenegger's "True Lies" and especially against Bruce Willis's "The Siege" in recent history. These protests were fueled by Islamic organizations banding together and sending out leaflets and informational guides to mosques and college campuses across the country about why these movies are offensive.
Students also harnessed the internet to spread the boycott message such that when "The Siege" was released, there were numerous protests across the country against the film. It received media attention as well. Whether it made a dent in the profits of that film I cannot say.
People may think that letter-writing campaigns and old-fashioned phone calls are useless, but they help as well.
Name
adil
- United States
Profession
physician
Question
With the presence of Muslims and in turn web sites such as yours gaining prominence, has there ever been a thought to create a "Muslim grading system" for movies. Perhaps parents, etc… could then better determine which movies to watch, or send their kids to watch?
Answer
Salaam Adil. As far as I know, IslamOnline does have its own rating system for films that more specifically outlines what is appropriate to watch. You can read more about the ratings system on Islam-Online's web site. I think this idea merits some more thought on behalf of some of the major Islamic organizations around the world.
People , Muslims included , go to the movies. So perhaps some web site or some group should take the initiative and create and aggressively advertise such a new ratings systems for Muslims to use.
Art & Culture Editor :
Dear Adil, we have suspended our "Movie Ratings" service in order to develop it. Your question, beside many other inquires we have received; will encourage us to work hardly for that.
Name
Abdullah alisari
- Oman
Profession
Question
Assalam alikum
As you know there are many Muslim directors and film makers in us. However, there is no such group adopts Islamic cinema, what the reasons in your view?
Answer
Wallaikum Salaam Abdullah. I'm not sure I understand your question. Are you asking why no group in the U.S. or around the world specifically supports Islamic cinema?
If so, I echo your question. There are, many great Muslim film makers out there, and I think it would be great if there could be a lobbying group of some sort to help promote their films. Of course this kind of group would need immense organization and unity. There is lot of things to consider: what kind of guidelines should Muslim film makers follow? Whose films should be promoted?
Perhaps these daunting blocks halt the progress of a unified Islamic cinema. Also, cinema is often categorized by geographical lines, like people identify with American Cinema, Asian cinema, Iranian cinema, etc. Islam reaches across geographic lines, and that makes it more difficult to develop a cohesive Islamic cinema. But this idea does deserve attention,I think.
Name
khalid
- Morocco
Profession
student
Question
Don't you consider that cinema is a kind of the "other" culture and we as open-minded Muslims should know this culture?
Answer
Salaam Khalid. I think there's a fine balance to be struck between exploring "Other cultures" as a means of educating ourselves about what's out there, and avoiding those things that are corrupting to our Islamic moral fiber. I think it would be dangerous to close ourselves off from every outside cultural force because then we could miss opportunities to educate others about the beauty of Islam.
Thus, I think there is merit in sampling films, television shows, art exhibits and other culture things that help us learn about the world we live in, and give us a chance to see how our religion and culture are being portrayed. How can we fight for changes if we don't know what's going on? That being said, we probably shouldn't immerse ourselves completely in "other cultures," at the risk of losing our Muslim identity. So I'm for striking a balance.
Name
aliya
- United States
Profession
physician
Question
What do you think the ideal Muslim movie would be, since technically we should not be watching any movies with interactions between sexes? Does that leave us with only educational documentary films and cartoons?
Answer
Wallaikum salaam Aliya. This is a tough question. You are right,i believe - if a movie is going to strictly tow the Islamic line, men and women should not mingle on the screen. But that doesn't leave us with just documentaries and cartoons. Why can't there be movies where the scenes with men and women are separate? You can still tell a story. It would be tough, I acknowledge that. But it's a challenge that would interest to face for a Muslim director.
Name
Noureddine
- Belgium
Profession
helpdesk
Question
Let be honest, how many movie stars did go to Baghdad to support the troops .Better boycott isn't it?
Answer
Salam - I'm sorry, but I don't fully understand the question. You're asking whether more movie stars boycotted the war in Iraq.
I don't have the correct information on how many movie stars went to Baghdad in support of the war, and how may protested against it. There were big name people for and against it (like Shean Penn who went there against the war). But I cannot say whether more movie stars boycotted the war than supported it. I'm sorry if this doesn't properly answer your question. Hope it helps.
