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Muhammad, the Last Prophet (PBUH) Premieres on Thursday

Islam Channel and FMG have a website dedicated to the theatrical release of the Muhammd, the Last Prophet (PBUH) animated film. On it you can find footage of several MAC ulema giving their initial reactions to the screening here.

Shaykh Faiz-ul-Aqtab Siddiqi and Peer Munawwara Shah will, inshaAllah be attending the Premiere in Leicester Square this Thursday, where Shaykh Faiz will give a special speech before the screening to the invited audience.

Full coverage of the event will be broadcast on Islam Channel from 7pm Thursday night and Shaykh Tauqir Ishaq will be in the studio discussing the various fiqh (legal) issues surrounding the film.

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FATAWA OF ENDORSEMENT PERTAINING TO THE ANIMATED FILM:
MUHAMMAD, THE LAST MESSENGER (PEACE BE UPON HIM)

I have been asked my opinion on the permissibility according to the most honourable Islamic Shariah of the viewing of the animated film: Muhammad, the Last Messenger (peace be upon him) in and of itself and within the context of a cinema screening.
Many of the honourable Ulema (Religious Scholars) of the Hijaz College and the Muslim Action Committee viewed the film at a special screening in Birmingham. After viewing and carefully studying the film in all it’s aspects we have reflected upon the question of the film’s permissibility. We note that the film respects the prohibition of depicting our beloved Prophet (Peace be upon him), his family members and closest companions. The film also contributes towards fulfilling the communal obligatory duty of conveying the Islamic message to our non-Muslim neighbours. The film is also a useful tool of education within the Muslim community for our younger generation.
The need for the Islamic message to be conveyed by means which suit the cultural and technological mores of the time is an imperative for Muslims wherever they may be living. In this time and especially in the context of the Western World where film, radio and television are key means of communication and education, such films are of great benefit.
Thus I hereby approve and endorse the animated film: Muhammad, the Last Messenger (peace be upon him) and its use in cinemas as being legitimate according to the Islamic Shariah, on behalf of the High Council of Hijazi Ulema.

Shaykh Faiz-ul-Aqtab Siddiqi

National Convenor, Muslim Action Committee (MAC)
Secretary General, International Muslim’s Organisation (IMO)
Principal, Hijaz College Islamic University
Blessed Supreme Spiritual Guide, Astana Silsila Alia Hijazia Naqshbandia

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PRESS RELEASE 1st June 2006
MUSLIM SCHOLARS WHO PROTESTED DANISH CARTOONS ASKED FOR FATWA ON ANIMATED FILM DEPICTING LIFE OF THE PROPHET (PBUH)

The Religious Scholars and Imams of Muslim Action Committee (MAC) have been asked to give a legal ruling on an animated feature depicting the life of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) entitled Muhammad (PBUH) the Last Prophet due to be promoted by Islam Channel in association with FMG at Cinemas nationwide next month .

The Muslim Action Committee (MAC) was set up to respond to the Danish Cartoons crisis and held the UK's biggest demonstration on the subject on the 18th February this year.

A special screening in Birmingham at the Odeon Cinema, New Street B2 4NU, will take place on Tuesday 6th June at 10am. There will be a short press conference before hand at the Cinema where some of the eminent Ulema will speak to the press about the project and their thoughts going into the screener. The Ulema will be expected to give a formal ruling later in the day as to the religious permissability of the film.

The film does not depict the Prophet (PBUH) or his family members and focuses on the major events in the mission of the Prophet (PBUH) from his recieving of revelation until his death twenty three years later.