The committee of Islamic research at the university of al-Azhar (the highest seat of learning in Sunni Islam) has strongly criticized "Khaled bin el Walid", a soap opera based on the life of one of the followers of the Prophet Mohammed (Peace be Upon Him).
The soap opera is one of many which are being broadcast currently by Arabic satellite TV networks on the occasion of the holy month of Ramadan.
"It is unacceptable" said committee head sheikh Abdel Zaher abdel Razaq, "that a television programme shows the wives and family of the Prophet (Peace be Upon Him)."
The series, which thanks to satellite broadcasting is visible in all Arab nations, has not been authorized by the institution which complains that it was not even consulted on an argument of such theological weight."
Khaled bin Al Walid, who converted to Islam a year before death, was not one of the closest followers of Mohammed (Peace be Upon Him) but is very well known among Muslim faithful for his heroic feats in the first battles fought under the banner of Islam.
Abdel Razaq noted that al-Azhar had some years ago published a document regarding the limits and restrictions in touching theological material in artistic and televisual productions
According to that document, the image of the closest companions of the Prophet (Peace be Upon Him), ten in all, and of his family, are considered tabou for such use, as are, to a lesser extent, all the companions who were involved in the foundation and the first moves of the Islamic community.
Once the unrivalled protagonist of television and cinema screens across the Arab world, the Egyptian cinema industry has for some time had to fend off the rise of Syrian productions, who this year for Ramadam, when families spent a lot of time at home in front of the television, have produced no less than 45 television series, against 50 of the Egyptian giant.
"Imam al Maraghi", an Egyptian production, tells the story of an imam of al-Azhar and stars some of the most famous actors of Egyptian cinema.
The television film, heavily promoted, has however failed to win over audiences. The Syrian works, in classical Arabic, are spreading rapidly in Arab countries which do not necessarily know the dialect of Damascus.
The plots of the series however do not present sacred characters who bring to light the first years of Mohammed's preaching but modern day stories which refer to crime, politics, and current affairs.
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