Egypt bans 'Exodus' movie
Egyptian critics consider the Culture Ministry’s decision to ban the screening of the US movie "Exodus: Gods and Kings" a result of Al-Azhar pressure, and believe it will only lead distribution companies to show more such movies.
CAIRO — Egypt's Culture Ministry banned the American movie “Exodus: Gods and Kings” Dec. 25, calling it “an attempt to Judaize Egypt.” The ban decision has created a major controversy, as many see it as an attack on artistic freedom and the result of Al-Azhar’s pressure on the culture minister. The movie tells the story of how Moses fled the Egyptian pharaoh's oppression with the Jews.
Al-Ahzar has issued many fatwas forbidding the depiction of prophets in movies, most recently banning the screening of the American movie “Noah” in Egypt.
