Paul KeenanCensors in Egypt have ruled that the latest Russell Crowe film, Noah, does not offend Islam and have passed it for screening in the country.
Having been banned by Muslim authorities in Qatar, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates on the basis that any portrayal of a prophet’s face is insulting to Islamic tradition, there were fears that other countries of the Arab world would follow suit.
However, with the ousting of the Muslim Brotherhood, Egypt has begun to take a more lenient line on artistic works, with the result that Noah can now be shown.
Recognising that the decision may well lead to protests at screenings, the censorship board’s chairman, Ahmed Awaad, said “this is a problem for film distributors and the cinemas”.