Indian composer under ‘fatwa’: Music for Prophet film done in good faith

In this Feb. 22, 2009 file photo, A.R. Rahman holds the Oscars for best original score and for best original song “Jai Ho” for his work on “Slumdog Millionaire” during the 81st Academy Awards in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles. Rahman has said that he did not intend to offend anyone when he composed the music for an Iranian film on the Prophet Muhammad. AP

NEW DELHI— Hugely popular Indian musician and composer A.R. Rahman has said that he did not intend to offend anyone when he composed the music for an Iranian film on the Prophet Muhammad.

Rahman was responding to a religious edict, or ‘fatwa,’ by a Muslim organization against him and the Iranian director of the film.

In a message on his Facebook page, Rahman says his decision to compose the music was made in good faith and with no intention of causing offense.

The Mumbai-based Raza Academy has ordered Rahman to reaffirm his faith by reciting the tenets of Muslim belief and repeating his marriage vows, to re-establish his status as a Muslim.

In the fatwa, that was issued last week, the Academy also demanded that the Indian government ban the screening of the film, which narrates the story of the Prophet’s life from birth to the age of 13.

Rahman has composed music and background scores for about 130 Indian films. In 2009, he received Academy awards for best song and original score for the film “Slumdog Millionaire.”

The 48-year-old musician was born a Hindu, but converted to Islam in 1989 and adopted the name Allah Rakha Rahman. TVJ