Saudi to screen ‘The Message’ four decades after ban

“The Message”, Syrian-American director Moustafa Akkad’s epic film about Prophet Mohammed, will be screened for the first time in Saudi cinemas on Thursday -- four decades after an initial ban. “Knowing that there were so many difficulties... , now that they’re showing it in the theatres I couldn’t be happier,” Akkad’s son said. The 1976 film has been widely-watched in the Arab world since its release. The film caused controversy when it was released in 1976 and was banned across much of the Arab world. “It caused a lot of controversy and there were a lot of obstacles put in its way,” said Akkad’s son, Malik Moustafa Akkad, noting it remains banned in Kuwait. Saudi Arabia lifted a longstanding ban on cinemas last year, part of an easing of social restrictions pushed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.