'Noah' banned in Malaysia

The film ‘Noah’ has been banned and will not be screened in Malaysia as it was deemed insensitive to the local community.

According the the Film Censorship Board chairman Datuk Abdul Halim, the decision to ban the movie was as a “precaution” because any films related to Prophet Noah (Nabi Nuh) is considered as insensitive to the Muslim community.

"The movie is banned because for us Muslims, we believe in Prophet Noah (Nabi Nuh) and according to Islamic teachings, it is prohibited to act out any characters of a prophet," he was quoted as saying.

"Any depiction of any prophet is prohibited in Islam," he was quoted in The Sun.

The board felt that the movie is not appropriate for screening in this country after considering Islamic facts and history.

Part of the Hollywood A-listers in the film include Russell Crowe, Jennifer Connelly, Anthony Hopkins and Emma Watson. It premiered in the US on March 28.

With a budget of US$130 million (RM247 million), film critics said that this film is only an adaptation of the prophet’s life.