By IndiaTomorrow.net,
Mumbai, 14 Sep 2015: World-renowned musician AR Rahman has responded to criticism against him for working in the Iranian movie Muhammed: The Messenger of God. In one-page letter which he posted on his facebook page this evening, the award-winning artist Rahman said his “decision to compose the music for this film was made in good faith and with no intention of causing offence.” He also said the film was made with good intention. His response has come about a week after a Muslim institution Raza Academy issued a fatwa against him as it called the film ‘blasphemous’
“I am not a scholar of Islam. I follow the middle path and am part traditionalist and part rationalist. I live in the Western and Eastern worlds and try to love all people for what they are, without judging them,” said Rahman.
“I didn’t direct or produce the movie “Muhammad (PBUH): Messenger of God. I just did the music. My spiritual experiences of working on the film are very personal and I would prefer not to share these,” he said.
The movie ‘Muhammed: The Messenger of God’ has been directed by world-famous Iranian filmmaker, Majid Majidi, who was nominated for Oscar Award in 1998. The first part of this trilogy biopic of Prophet Muhammed was released in Iran and at Montreal World Film Festival on 27 August this year.
Going ahead, Rahman said he had an urge to work for the film. He countered the argument of Raza Academy with their own points.
The letter of AR Rahman over Prophet film controversy
“Mr Noori, a member of the Raza Academy, has said in an interview featured in “The Bayside Journal”, why he believes it is important to voice a complaint:
Mr. Noori: See, as Muslims we have to do something about it since it is against our religion so that tomorrow, if and when, we face Allah, He doesn’t say that you didn’t do anything to stop this from happening, so we have to try.”
Countering this point, Rahman wrote that he worked for the film because he felt if he didn’t Allah will ask him why.
“My decision to compose the music for this film was made in good faith and with no intention of causing offence. In fact, the decision was based on a similar point of view as expressed by Mr Noori. What, and if, I had the good fortune of facing Allah (Sbt), and He were to ask me on Judgment Day: “I gave you faith, talent, money, fame and health… why did you not do music for my Beloved Muhammad (sals) film? A film whose intention is to unite humanity, clear misconceptions and spread my message that life is about kindness, about uplifting the poor, and living in the service of humanity and not mercilessly killing innocents in my name.”
“We ae indeed fortunate and blessed to live in a country like India where religious freedom is practiced and where the aim of all communities is to live in peace and harmony sans confusion and violence.
“Let us set a precedent in clearing conflict with grace and dignity and not trigger violence in words or actions.”
Related story:
Iranian movie on Prophet stirs controversy
