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Saudi security forces deter anti-Manahi film protesters in Riyadh
Saudi security forces thwarted efforts by Islamic militants in Saudi Arabia to prevent the screening of the film, Manahi, at the King Fahd Cultural Center.
- By Abdul Rahman Shaheen, Correspondent
- Published: 17:20 June 7, 2009
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Cinema in Riyadh after 30 years
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Riyadh: Saudi security forces thwarted efforts by Islamic militants in Saudi Arabia to prevent the screening of the film, Manahi, at the King Fahd Cultural Center.
The film has sparked protests from militants who threatened to stop the screening of the film, which they called a corruption and a sin.
The film was first shown in Riyadh on Friday, marking the first time in three decades that cinemas opened in Saudi Arabia.
Saudi citizens usually travel to the nearby countries, such as Bahrain, Kuwait and Egypt to watch Arab and foreign films.
Two militants had entered a cinema to try to stop a screening of the film and called film director Fayez Al Maliki a "leader of misguided people". Al Maliki also received threats via SMS, according to media reports.
However, despite the opposition, people continued to flock to the screening on Sunday.
On Saturday, activists launched an SMS campaign calling for support for opening of cinema halls in Saudi Arabia.
In their widely circulated message, the activists urged people to watch Manahi, which is the third film produced in Saudi Arabia.
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