Muslim TV stations axe controversial show on Jesus

Two Shiite Muslim television stations in Lebanon cancelled a controversial programme about Jesus yesterday, saying they do not want to stir up sectarian conflict in the country.

The 17-episode series, which was produced in Iran, describes Jesus from an Islamic point of view. Muslims believe Jesus was a prophet and a teacher, but not the son of God.

The debate has particular resonance in Lebanon, an Arab nation of four million people with a grim history of sectarian strife. The country's population is divided into 18 sects, including Sunni and Shiite Muslims, Christians and Druse.

Al-Manar, a television station run by Lebanon's powerful militant group, Hezbollah, and the National Broadcasting Network, NBN, started airing the programme this week at the beginning of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Christian priests and politicians quickly protested, saying the topic might endanger national coexistence.

The programme does not show respect to "Jesus, the church and Christianity," Catholic Maronite Archbishop Bechara el-Rai said. Shortly before he spoke, , Al-Manar and NBN issued a statement saying the programme "shows the great personality of God's prophet Jesus, the son of Mary, peace be upon him." But, the statement said, the stations decided to stop airing it in respect to other Lebanese sects.

Information minister Tarek Mitri said even though he is against censorship, he agreed with the cancellation because of Lebanon's religious diversity.

"There is a special case in Lebanon which is considered a country of dialogue and a country where Christians and Muslims meet," Mitri said.

After Lebanon gained independence from French rule in 1943, Christians dominated the country. Muslim demands for reform helped trigger the 1975-90 civil war. A 1989 agreement ended the civil war and the two sides have since shared power.