The Syrian actor Loujain Ismail in the role of "Mouawiya." (Credit: MBC)
The series "Mouawiya," produced by the Saudi group MBC, has been the subject of heated debate, both in the Arab world and internationally. By depicting the controversial historical figure of Mouawiya Ibn Abi Sufyan, this production has rekindled differing opinions about the early decades of Islamic history, notably the founding of the Umayyad Caliphate and the Great Discord (Fitna al-Kubra). It is an unprecedented opportunity to explore a key period in Muslim history and measure the impact of fiction in representing religious figures.Mouawiya Ibn Abi Sufyan, the central character in the biopic, is a complex historical figure. The fifth Muslim caliph and the first Umayyad caliph, he died in Damascus in 680. His role in the events leading to the division between Sunnism and Shiism makes him a highly controversial protagonist....
The series "Mouawiya," produced by the Saudi group MBC, has been the subject of heated debate, both in the Arab world and internationally. By depicting the controversial historical figure of Mouawiya Ibn Abi Sufyan, this production has rekindled differing opinions about the early decades of Islamic history, notably the founding of the Umayyad Caliphate and the Great Discord (Fitna al-Kubra). It is an unprecedented opportunity to explore a key period in Muslim history and measure the impact of fiction in representing religious figures.Mouawiya Ibn Abi Sufyan, the central character in the biopic, is a complex historical figure. The fifth Muslim caliph and the first Umayyad caliph, he died in Damascus in 680. His role in the events leading to the division between Sunnism and Shiism makes him a highly controversial protagonist....
