The CMC confirmed that it had formally instructed MBC Iraq not to air the series. [Getty]
Iraq’s media regulator has banned the broadcast of the historical drama “Muawiya” during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan on the Saudi Arabian television channel MBC Iraq, citing concerns that it could incite sectarian tensions.
The Iraqi Media and Communications Commission (CMC) announced the decision on Saturday, stating that it was exercising its legal authority to regulate the country’s media sector.
“The broadcast of historically controversial content may provoke sectarian debates, which could threaten social harmony and disrupt the fabric of society, particularly during Ramadan,” the commission said in a statement.
It also urged media institutions to adhere to professional standards and avoid content that could inflame religious or communal sensitivities.
Ban on MBC Iraq, but viewers still have access
The CMC confirmed that it had formally instructed MBC Iraq not to air the series. However, the show will still be accessible via other MBC satellite channels and the network’s digital platform, Shahid.
The decision comes amid broader debates over the portrayal of early Islamic history in popular media and its potential political and religious repercussions.
“Muawiya” explores the life of Umayyad Caliph Muawiya ibn Abi Sufyan, who played a central role in the “First Fitna”—the civil war that followed the assassination of Caliph Uthman ibn Affan in the 7th century.
The series was filmed in Tunisia in 2023 at Carthago Film Studios in Hammamet, with additional scenes shot in Mahdia, Monastir, and Enfidha. Reports suggest the production cost exceeded $100 million, though other estimates place the budget closer to $75 million.
The show has faced strong opposition from religious institutions, particularly Al-Azhar in Egypt. Prominent scholar Sheikh Abdel Fattah Abdel Ghani Al-Awari condemned the dramatisation of Muawiya, arguing that portraying the Prophet Muhammad’s companions in film or television is religiously impermissible.
“The companions of the Prophet should not be depicted in any form of dramatic production,” Al-Awari said, adding that historical conflicts over Islamic leadership should not be subject to artistic interpretation.
Iraqi cleric Muqtada al-Sadr also previously urged MBC to cancel the series, warning that it could provoke sectarian discord.
Muawiya is a contentious figure in Islamic history.
As the founder of the Umayyad dynasty, he fought against Ali ibn Abi Talib, the Prophet Muhammad’s son-in-law and the fourth caliph of Islam. Following Ali’s assassination in 661 AD, Muawiya seized control of Egypt and assumed the caliphate, establishing Damascus as the capital of the Islamic empire. His reign lasted until 680 AD.
Saudi media influence
The series was written by Egyptian journalist Khaled Salah and directed by Palestinian-American filmmaker Tarek Al-Arian. Syrian actor Loujain Ismail plays Muawiya, after Palestinian actor Ali Suleiman withdrew from the role. Other cast members include Asma Jalal, Aisha bin Ahmed, Jamila Chihi, and Iyad Nassar, who plays Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib.
The show is being produced by the Middle East Broadcasting Centre (MBC), the region’s largest TV network. Founded in London in 1991 by Saudi businessman Waleed Al-Ibrahim, MBC dominates the Saudi media landscape, attracting around 140 million viewers daily.
Al-Ibrahim was among the high-profile figures detained in Riyadh’s Ritz-Carlton crackdown in 2017 but was later released after reaching an undisclosed settlement with Saudi authorities.
Despite the Iraqi ban, “Muawiya” is set to air during Ramadan on MBC’s main channels, ensuring its availability to audiences across the region.
