Saudi TV drama sparks outrage: Iraq, Iran ban show, clerics call it sinful

A multimillion-dollar Saudi TV drama has sparked a firestorm across the Middle East, with Iraq and Iran banning the show and religious leaders calling it sinful. 

Financial Times reveals in a new article that Muawiya, reportedly the most expensive Arab soap opera ever made with a budget of up to $100 million, focuses on the historical schism that divided Sunni and Shia Muslims in the seventh century, a divide that still shapes the Muslim world today.

The high-profile series, featuring grand battle sequences and lavish sets, depicts the life of Muawiya ibn Abi Sufyan, a companion of the Prophet Mohammed who fought against the Prophet’s cousin and son-in-law, Ali ibn Abi Talib, a central figure revered by Shia Muslims. The series debuted during Ramadan on Saudi-owned MBC, a peak viewing season for millions of families across the region.

Muawiya centers on the conflict between those who believe the leadership of the Muslim community should stay within the Prophet’s family (Shia Muslims) and those who opposed this notion (Sunnis). While Sunni Muslims make up the majority globally, Shia Muslims comprise 10-15 per cent of the global Muslim population, with Iran, Iraq, and Bahrain as predominantly Shia countries.

Filmed in Tunisia with a pan-Arab cast and an Egyptian director, the show’s release was delayed from 2023 to avoid escalating tensions between Saudi Arabia, a leader of the Sunni Muslim world, and its Shia-majority neighbors. Both Iraq and Iran have banned the series, with Iraqi authorities citing concerns over social peace.

Despite the bans, Muawiya continues to attract attention, with some criticizing its historical inaccuracies and controversial scenes. "Bans and controversy might even propel ratings," said H.A. Hellyer, an expert on Middle Eastern politics.

By Naila Huseynova