Muhyiddin, Anwar slam anti-Muhammad film

The country’s top politicians, from both sides of the divide, are coming out in condemnation of the controversial film ‘Innocence of Muslims’ largely said to feature a false and insensitive depiction of the Prophet Muhammad.

The latest leader to speak out against the film is Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, who, in a Bernama report today, said he instructed the authorities to prohibit its distribution in Malaysia.

"We Muslims cannot accept (films which insult Prophet Muhammad). It is a major offence. We cannot allow this, whether it is in the form of films, words or whatever.

“It is my personal opinion that we should ban the film. We should not allow any act which insults Prophet Muhammad,” he was quoted saying.

He further said the film was an “evil deed disrespectful of religion” and felt its motive was to spark inter-religious clashes detrimental to the world community.

His criticism followed that of PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim, who earlier today also condemned the “anti-Islamic” film calling it a scheme to “hurt Muslim sensitivities and stir chaos”.

Calling on the United States government to take action against the individuals responsible, he said the “disgusting and despicable” flim must be withdrawn as it  “abuses” free speech “for the purpose of committing hate crimes”.

“A line must be drawn between sacrilege and blasphemy on the one hand, and free speech or even artistic licence on the other,” Anwar said in a statement.

The film is not only offensive to Muslims but to all religions and it must not be allowed to be used as an excuse for violence.

Instead, Anwar renewed calls for inter-religious ties and dialogues to quash misunderstanding and ill-will.

'Don't play into filmmaker's hands'

Condemning the “senseless” killing of American diplomats in Libya, purportedly a backlash to the film, he called on Muslims not to play into the filmmakers' hands by reacting violently.

“It is clear that the conspirators behind this movie want to sow animosity and strife among religions and peoples,” he said.

The film was alsocondemned by PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang and Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin Abu Bakar (left), who called upon the US government to take action against the film's producers for their “wild provocation”.

'Innocence of Muslims', said to be by Israeli filmmaker Sam Bacile, potrays the Prophet Muhammad as a philanderer and child abuser.

However, the film's cast and crew said the film had been “taken advantage” of by Bacile and that they were “grossly misled” about the film's intent and purpose.

“We are shocked by the drastic rewrites of the script and lies that were told to all involved. We are deeply saddened by the tragedies that have occurred,” they said in a statement to the Los Angeles Times.