Sunni Islamic Party expresses reservations over government ban of Islamic television series (Photo: ahramonline)

A hurried decision by Iraq’s Parliament to ban the controversial television series “Hassan and Hussein” raised doubts within the Iraqi Islamic Party about the legitimacy of the move. The Sunni Islamist party’s “Baghdad” channel was the only Iraqi channel that had broadcast the controversial show, which was widely criticized in the Muslim world and by the Shi’ite community in particular.

The series depicts the grandsons of the Muslim Prophet Mohammad, Hassan and Hussein, figures revered by both Sunni and Shi’ite sects but that play an especially central role in Shi’ite Islam. Many charged that the show, which portrays the historic Battle of Karbala (located in modern-day Iraq) marking the official split between Sunnis and Shi’ites, would exacerbate the sectarian strife plaguing the country.

In a decision that took less than three minutes, Iraq’s parliament voted to ban the show, claiming that it incited sectarianism.

Ahmed Mahjoub, Executive Director of the Baghdad channel, criticized the decision, saying that the ruling represented the suppression of “freedom of opinion and thought.” He questioned the speed with which the decision was made, and whether or not those who opposed the series were even aware of its content.

The Iraqi Islamic Party, which runs the Baghdad channel, is a major component of the government’s largest Sunni coalition. It endorses Islam and has been known for its conservative stance though its platform is anti-sectarian.

The series “speaks of brotherly love,” Mahjoub said, pointing out that it carried an important humanitarian message, in his opinion. Nonetheless, he added, “we will abide by the decision.”

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