Malaysia bans Biblical epic ‘Noah’ to protect racial harmony

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – Malaysia has banned the Biblical epic “Noah,” joining other Muslim nations that forbid the Hollywood movie for its visual depiction of the prophet.

The Film Censorship Board says it reviewed the movie directed by Darren Aronofsky last month and found the portrayal of the ark-building prophet by Russell Crowe was against Islamic laws.

Board chairman Abdul Halim Abdul Hamid said in a statement Monday that the movie cannot be screened to “protect sensitivity and harmony in Malaysia’s multi-racial and multi-religious community.” Malay Muslims make up about 60 per cent of Malaysia’s 30 million people.

Much of the Muslim world, including Indonesia, the UAE, Qatar and Bahrain, has banned the movie. Some Christian conservatives have also complained it takes liberties with the Biblical account of the flood.