A high-budget Saudi television drama chronicling the life of an early Islamic ruler has ignited widespread controversy, with Iraq and Iran banning the show and some clerics denouncing it as a violation of religious principles.
Titled Muawiya, the series has drawn attention for its hefty production budget, reportedly the largest for any Arab television project to date, with an estimated cost of up to $100 million. The drama centers on the significant seventh-century schism that led to the division between Sunni and Shia Islam—an ideological rift that continues to shape the Muslim world today.
Muawiya portrays the life of Muawiya ibn Abi Sufyan, a companion of the Prophet Mohammed and a key figure in early Islamic history. Muawiya, who famously fought against Ali ibn Abi Talib, the Prophet’s cousin and son-in-law revered by Shia Muslims, is the central character of the series. The show, which includes grand battle scenes and lavish historical sets, premiered on Saudi-owned MBC as part of its Ramadan programming, a period of heightened television viewership across the region.
However, the portrayal of Muawiya has sparked significant backlash. Critics accuse the series of historical inaccuracies and raising concerns about the portrayal of Islamic figures. Several scholars, including those from Al-Azhar University in Egypt, have condemned the show, arguing that such depictions violate Islamic religious norms. Some religious figures have even gone as far as to declare watching the show a sin.
The show has been banned in Iraq and Iran, where authorities fear it could exacerbate sectarian tensions and undermine social stability. Despite these bans, Saudi Arabia has not faced substantial diplomatic repercussions. Analysts suggest that the kingdom may have been emboldened to release the series due to improved relations with both nations. H.A. Hellyer, a senior associate fellow at the Royal United Services Institute, speculates that Saudi Arabia may be testing the resilience of its regional ties through the controversial release.
Within Saudi Arabia, the religious establishment’s response has been relatively subdued, reflecting the broader social liberalization taking place under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s leadership. The controversy surrounding Muawiya echoes previous debates over MBC productions, including a series on the historical ruler Umar ibn al-Khattab, which was also met with condemnation from the kingdom’s Grand Mufti.
In addition to the religious and political disputes, the series has also faced criticism for its anachronistic elements. Some viewers on social media mocked a scene where Muawiya’s mother is seen wearing modern nightwear, while another sequence featuring the ruler wrapped in a towel and receiving a massage also drew ridicule.
Despite the backlash, experts argue that controversy may increase the show’s popularity. “It’s not clear that bans and controversy are going to damage the reception of the series,” Hellyer remarked. “They might even propel ratings.”
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