May 19, 2006 (Part2)

On May 15, Gulf News reported The Da Vinci Code is likely to be shown in the UAE ("Da Vinci Code 'will get green light'"). We asked our readers, "Should the movie be released in the UAE?" We publish here a selection of the response. For more, log on to www.gulfnews.com/yoursay

Should the movie be released here?

YES

Let viewers decide
I am a Catholic and have read Dan Brown's novel. Reading it didn't change my faith in God or Christianity. I have other Catholic friends who refused to read the novel when they learnt it was against the teachings of the church.

I believe the movie should be released in the UAE, just as the book was released, and people should be allowed to decide whether they want to see it or not.

Everyone had a choice to read or not read the book and the same choice should apply to the movie.
From Ms S. Noronha
Dubai

Unnecessary publicity
Being a staunch Catholic, I don't think the movie needs to be banned. There have been works of fiction and heresies from the time of Jesus Christ, and the church did not bother about them.

The same forces have now taken a new form. I am not bothered whether it is screened or not, but by banning it we are giving it unnecessary publicity.

Truth always wins, the church never worries about such malicious propaganda.
From Ms M. Germer 
Dubai

Foolish furore
I am not surprised by the furore over The Da Vinci Code. Ten years ago, after reading the book Holy Blood, Holy Grail, I began my own independent research.

I actually went to the source in France - Rennes Le Chateau and Pierre Plantard. What fun me and my friends had "investigating"!

I learned it was a hoax tacked on to an old French myth. Know that, and enjoy the foolish furore. Christians, know your Holy Bible.
From Ms K.F. Lucas
Anaheim, California, US

Just a movie
The book was released in the UAE, so I see no reason why the movie should not be.

It's an interesting story that would make a good movie and the cinema-goers in this country should be allowed to enjoy it. After all, it's just a movie, it's suspended reality.
From Ms Aarti K.
Dubai

Decide for yourself
I recently read Dan Brown's novel and I think it is a masterpiece. The controversy stirred up by the book shouldn't prevent people who want to see the movie from watching it.

If someone can't differentiate between fiction and reality then he/she is really wasting his/her time reading the book.

We live in a free society where everyone is his/her own boss. If you don't want to read the "controversial" book, then don't.

And if you don't want to watch this movie, then don't. It doesn't mean you have the right to stop others from watching it.
From Mr Yohanna
Abu Dhabi

Test of faith
The novel is offensive, since it is blasphemous. If, as a Christian, you have weak faith, watching the movie or reading the book would weaken your faith even more.

But it would all depend on how strong your belief is. Also, this story should be treated as a mere figment of imagination or the opinion of an individual. It should be shown to the public.
From Ms G. Pineda
Dubai

The beautiful part
The movie should be released and treated like any other, nothing more. Any Christian with sufficient intelligence and unshakeable faith will not let the hype and distortion affect him/her.

This is not the first or last time movie makers have resorted to such tactics to make money. Besides, look at the beautiful part of it.

Even though Mary Magdalene was an outcast, yet she was close to Mother Mary and Jesus. She repented her past and became a changed person.

Even if Jesus married her, is it not admirable that he forgave her and looked on her with compassion as only he could have done?
From Ms Ruth D
Dubai
Full name withheld by request

Work of fiction
The movie should be released, because in the end, it's just a work of fiction.

Some recent releases - such as Munich and Syriana - had some elements considered sensitive in the Middle East and yet they ran a decent show here in the UAE. So I think the movie should certainly be released.
From Mr S. Hameed
Abu Dhabi

Other issues
Religion is in the heart and if your faith is unshakeable, why should a book or movie - which is fiction - upset anyone?

I am amazed that when there is so much happening around us - natural disasters, loss of innocent lives due to terrorism, sickness, poverty etc. - we spend our time criticising and finding fault with other religions.

More important than declaring one's religion is to be compassionate, considerate and respectful to people on the roads and at your workplace.
From Ms L.P.
Sharjah
Full name withheld by request

NO

Don't offend others
Freedom of expression is the fundamental right of every individual. However, it should not be at the cost of hurting the sentiments and religious beliefs of other people.

It is sad and deplorable that some people try to justify their so-called works of art, literature or cinema - which belittle and question the very essence of other religions - by hiding under the cloak of freedom of expression.
From Mr K.M. Mathew
Dubai

Bad precedent
The movie should not be released in the UAE because it offends Christians. Tomorrow, there might be another movie which offends other religions.

Will a movie be released if it offends Islam? We must be fair to all.
From N. Ali
Dubai

Respect all religions
A Muslim country should respect other religions. Christians believe the book is an insult to their religion. We should look at it from the Christians' point of view.

What if there were a movie insulting Islam? The world would not be enough for Muslims and non-Muslims to co-exist any more.

Respect other religions like you wish your religion to be respected, and ban this movie from all Islamic countries. Whether it is fiction or not, it's insulting.
From Ms A. Ibrahim
Amsterdam, Holland

Defaming one's God
The movie should be banned. It fabricates lies around the truths in the Holy Bible. What a pity so-called Christian authors and producers are out to defame their own God!

I applaud the Muslim brethren who fought tooth and nail against the derogatory cartoons of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH).

What a pity "open-minded Christians" have nothing to say when the image of their God is turned upside down.

No wonder the so-called Christian societies are going from bad to worse morally. Let fiction writers weave stories around any other topic under the sun. Why play with religion?
From Ms A. Roby
Sharjah

Ban the movie
The movie is based on falsehood. There is no mention of such events in either the Holy Bible or the Holy Quran.

The novel/movie offends both Christians and Muslims, and must be banned.
From Mr Jacob
Dubai

Sting and the pain
Many brothers/sisters claim the novel is a work of fiction. But we tend to forget that the Danish cartoons too were a work of fiction.

Please do not fall into this trap of freedom of speech, and keep all facts in perspective. The book insults Christians. We have felt the sting before, and we should not forget the pain.

Also, we believe in our Prophet Eisa (Jesus). So this is offensive to us Muslims too.
From A Reader
Mississauga, Canada
Name withheld by request

Making a fast buck
I urge the UAE authorities not to allow the screening of the distorted movie The Da Vinci Code as it hurts the sentiments of Christians. Greed knows no bounds.

The easiest route to a fast buck is to write books or produce films on controversial and distorted religious subjects.

We test the patience of God and when tsunamis strike we run for cover.
From Mr H. Barreto
Abu Dhabi

Work of a sick mind
Despite being a Hindu, I respect all the religious faiths as true. And though I am not a Christian, I worship Jesus of Nazareth both as the "Son of God" as well as the "Father in the heaven".

I believe the book is the work of a sick mind that has fabricated a scandalous story involving our beloved Lord to make money.

Such ploys must be discouraged. Next, someone might come up with a story that the Holy Mother was not a virgin.
From Mr U. Chakrabarty
Dubai

Blasphemous movie
A fiction/story/tale that mocks the fundamental truth of a religion amounts to blasphemy and cannot be viewed in any other way.

As a country that upholds cultural diversity, the UAE should appreciate and respect the sentiments of all religions.

I strongly urge the censor board and the government to ban the movie. Releasing it will show this country in a negative light.
From Mr N. Oommen
Dubai

Join hands
I urge Muslims and Christians to come together in demanding a ban on the movie. Jesus's birth is supernatural and unique, and so was his death and resurrection.

The blasphemy against Christianity is continuing because Christians are lukewarm and disoriented. This has nothing to do with tolerance. It is easy to deceive by distorting the truth.
From A Reader
Abu Dhabi
Name withheld by request