UK government withdraws Imam’s advisory role over film protests

The UK government has withdrawn the appointment of an Imam from his role as an Independent Advisor over his endorsement of a campaign to ban screenings of a new film claiming to reflect the story of the daughter of Prophet Muhammad.

Imam Qari Asim, who was the government’s so-called anti-Islamophobia adviser and also Deputy Chair of the Government’s Anti-Muslim Hatred Working Group, was informed by a letter from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on Saturday evening that his support for the protests against

‘The Lady of Heaven’ restricted artistic expression and encouraged communal tensions.

Earlier this week, UK cinema chains cancelled screenings of the film, described on its website as a heart-wrenching journey of Lady Fatima – the daughter of Prophet Muhammad, to ensure the safety of staff and customers.

“Your recent support for a campaign to limit free expression – a campaign which has itself encouraged communal tensions – means it is no longer appropriate for you to continue your work with Government in roles designed to promote community harmony,” reads the letter addressed to Asim, who is Head Imam at the Makkah mosque in Leeds.

The letter quoted the Imam’s Facebook posts from earlier in the week to highlight his push towards cancelling screenings. The film, written by Kuwait-born Yasser al-Habib and released in the UK on June 3, has been banned in Egypt and Pakistan, while in Iran, clerics have issued a fatwa against anyone who watches it.

The film, written by Kuwait-born Yasser al-Habib and released in the UK has been banned in Egypt and Pakistan