Are shows like 'Messiah' and 'Jinn' Netflix's way of bringing the Islamic perspective to its viewers?
While Netflix's 'Messiah' has reached religious sensitivity limits with its reference or some may say "nod" at "Dajjal", the Anti Christ, does anyone remember the uproar the network's first Arabic original series, 'Jinn' caused?
Both shows have taken abandoned parts of earlier religious teachings, that while similarities do exists, a touch of modern drama is said to have been put to the mix. Is this Netflix's way of bringing Islamic perspective to Hollywood?
'Jinn' released in June 2019, and is a supernatural series set in Petra, an ancient city where a girl releases a jinn by accident and he turns out to be a teenage boy. This accident caused her to bring "ancient darkness" to the modern world, and the Jinn must be stopped before he destroys the world.
The show was shot in Jordan and the heat was on the streaming service when the female character Mira, played by Salma Malhas kisses two boys in a conservative country. Deemed as moral degradation, way too many big people stepped in calling for censorship.
While 'Messiah' more than hints on Islamic eschatology — with the focus on the false Messiah being deceptive to his followers — 'Jinn' kept the conservative morals of the religion to a minimum.
Both shows have the essence of the Islamic culture knitted into their storyline but also brought it the "Hollywood" culture — CIA investigators in 'Messiah' and public affection in relationships in 'Jinn'.
The portrayal of religious figures or beliefs through the Hollywood lens seems to have hit a few nerves. Has the line blurred between cultural appropriation and religious education?
The modernity seems a little forceful by most religious perspectives, and viewers are starting to take into account the lack of sensitivity to strict beliefs — not to mention its consequences.
Is Netflix trying to spark an open conversation or is the point, a debate of religious divinities and moral principles? Either way, both themes are all too "real" in this modern day of religious upheavals and animosity.