Religious figures in Egypt have also criticised the show for its portrayal of early Muslim figures.
A senior scholar from Egypt’s highest religious authority has advised against watching the new Ramadan drama Muawiya, citing concerns over its religious and historical sensitivity. Meanwhile, Iraq’s media regulator has officially banned the show, fearing it could incite sectarian tensions.
Abdel Fattah Abdel Ghani Al Awari, a member of Al Azhar’s Senior Scholars Authority, told Egyptian outlet Masry Al Youm that portraying Muawiya ibn Abi Sufyan—a key figure in early Islamic history and the first caliph of the Umayyad dynasty—is religiously inappropriate. He referred to longstanding Islamic rulings prohibiting depictions of revered figures. However, Al Azhar has yet to issue an official fatwa on the series.
In Iraq, the Communications and Media Commission (CMC) has prohibited the broadcast of Muawiya on MBC Iraq, stating that historically controversial content could spark sectarian debates, threatening social stability during Ramadan. The commission also urged media outlets to uphold professional standards and avoid content that could provoke religious sensitivities. While the show is banned on television, it remains available on MBC’s streaming platform, Shahid.
The series, produced by Saudi broadcaster MBC, explores the political turmoil following Caliph Uthman ibn Affan’s assassination, which led to Muawiya’s rise and the establishment of the Umayyad state. Its subject matter has ignited debates, particularly in Iraq, where authorities view it as a potential trigger for sectarian disputes.
Egyptian screenwriter Khaled Salah defended the series, said its dramatic narrative rather than a simplistic portrayal of power struggles. “Our story is not about a man who sought power for power’s sake but about someone who mastered the art of survival,” he wrote on social media.
Mazen Hayek, a Dubai-based media consultant and former MBC spokesperson, predicted that controversy will only boost the show’s popularity. He pointed to past cases where religious fatwas and bans inadvertently increased viewership, such as MBC’s 2012 historical drama Omar and the Saudi comedy Tash Ma Tash.
“The backlash against Muawiya won’t stop the growing trend of historical dramas in the region,” Hayek said. “Telling our own stories is always better than being passive recipients of narratives shaped by others.”
