Egyptian film maker's decision to make a movie about the Christchurch terror attack sparks anger from Muslim community

A film maker's plan to make a movie based on the Christchurch terror attack has sparked anger in the Muslim community. 

Moez Masoud, a Cairo-based writer, director, and public speaker announced his plan on Twitter a week after the March 15 attack.

"What happened in New Zealand deserves human history and documentation," Masoud wrote.

"It deserves to be reconsidered by everyone else, away from ignorance, fanaticism and extremism that is not exclusive to anyone.

 "Soon, God willing, we will start producing a global film for humanity named #HelloBrother."

Masoud told Variety his film will focus on a family who escaped from Afghanistan to New Zealand - their story will intertwine with that of the March 15 terrorist attack which killed 51 people.

The Muslim Association of Canterbury and Al Noor Masjid have both voiced concern over Masoud's plans.

Al Noor Masjid spokesperson Anthony Green told NZME he found talk of a movie "a little bit staggering."

"No proper discussion has taken place..just how it's got to this point is quite surprising to be honest," said Green.

"The last thing I want is a Hollywood treatment or dramatisation."

The Muslim Association of Canterbury posted on Facebook about its lack of enthusiasm for Masoud's plan.

"We stress that no discussion has taken place with the Muslim Association of Canterbury for this," it said.

"We cannot stop such projects from going ahead if film makers choose to embark on them but the Muslim Association of Canterbury regards the dignity and privacy of our community, and the dignity of those whose lives were taken as paramount."

"We stress again that we have not had any proposal such as this presented to us, nor have we agreed to it."

Kiwi film maker Jason Lei Howden has also condemned the film.

"Please can everyone in NZ boycott this?" he wrote on Twitter on Wednesday.

"Stop these ghouls from capitalising on murder and terror."

He continued to say he hopes film workers in New Zealand refuse to work on the production.

Newshub.

 

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