Wednesday 8 June 2022 01:46 AM Cinema-goers hit out at 'ridiculous' protesters demanding The Lady Of Heaven is ... trends now

Movie lovers tonight hit out at protesters who called for a film about Islam and the daughter of the prophet Muhammed to be banned because they feel it is blasphemous.

Cinema goers said everyone should be able to see the £12million movie, which was released in the UK last weekend, because shutting it down prevents discussion and instead fuels intolerance. 

Hundreds of demonstrators turned out in Bradford, Bolton, Birmingham and Sheffield to protest venues showing The Lady of Heaven.

The movie was released in the UK over the Jubilee weekend but has been pulled by Cineworld from all its branches after staff faced crowds of protesters demanding it was removed from circulation.

The movie's executive producer, Malik Shlibak, called the decision to pull it 'unacceptable' and accused the chain of 'bowing down to radical extremists'. 

Now film fans who watched The Lady of Heaven in London called on cinemas that have pulled it to have a re-think.

NHS worker Toqeer Abbas, 47, who watched the film at Vue Cinema in Shepherd's Bush, south west London, said: 'I do not agree with the protests. I think it is sad people have called for it to be banned. Most of those people haven't watched it.

'It is sad that cinemas are not showing it as that allows for any other viewpoint to be restricted. There are certain people that we know that have been against it but this is a conservative view.

'If you shut down dialogue you have nothing. You have a world of ignorance. This film creates a talking point. You don't have to believe it and if you don't you should do your own research.

'Why would you want to ban it? What's the reason for it?

'It's a free country and whatever happens people will find a way to see it but why can't we come here and spend time with our families and chat about it afterwards.

'Talking creates tolerance while shutting things down, no matter how difficult, creates intolerance.'

Mr Abbas from south London added: 'Some of it was difficult to watch visually. We have heard the stories that were in the film but we have never seen it before. This is the first time we have had a movie showing these events in this way.

'We've never had anything like this before. This is the first time in 1400 years. For me there was too much imagery. It was made too human.

'We will get in the car and have more conversations about it. It's a talking point and I think it has a positive message.'

One cinema-goer said: 'I think the protests are ridiculous. Calling for the movie to be banned is shutting down debate and dialogue.

'Everyone should be allowed to see the film. Although I must say it was a little long and boring at times.'

A Muslim woman, who is originally from Lebanon who watched the film on her own, said: 'It was a nice movie.I liked it. It had a positive message.

'People who have been protesting have a different opinion. We don't need to do that. We are all Muslim. I would not want to see it banned from the cinema.'

Another man who watched the film but asked not to be named said: 'I think people should at least see the film before passing judgment.

'I only came to see what all the fuss was about. It's a low budget movie and there were not many people watching it.

'If anything, any protests and calls for the film to be banned will have the reverse effect with more people going to see it.'

In contrast to large scale demonstrations, film-goers who watched the movie in an auditorium, which was half full, were able to do so without having to run the gauntlet from protesters.

Cineworld confirmed it had pulled the film to 'ensure the safety of staff and customers' after outcry from protesters who picketed movie theatres and branded it 'blasphemous'. Vue, meanwhile, is still listed as showing the film in a number of its London branches tonight.

Made in Britain for £12million, the film opens with the invasion of Iraq by ISIS and features a graphic jihadist murder, before telling the story of Lady Fatima, one of the daughters of the founder of Islam.

Islamic tradition forbids the direct portrayal of religious figures, with previous depictions of prophets leading to protests and even murders amid accusations of blasphemy. 

Director Eli King depicts Fatima as a faceless character, shrouded by a black veil to avoid doing this.

But protesters have accused the filmmakers of inaccurately depicting religious history and negatively portraying three of Islam's most important figures.

A video from the weekend appears to show a manager at one cinema addressing a crowd confirming the film has been pulled, prompting cries of 'Allahu Akbar'.