The Punjab Auqaf and Religious Affairs Department has imposed a ban on shooting of films and dramas in mosques and shrines, especially the cinematography featuring women, after a video shoot at Wazir Khan Mosque by actors Saba Qamar and Bilal Saeed blew out of proportion.
In a notification dated August 13, 2020, the department said: "If any scene is filmed in a mosque or a shrine, the relevant manager and zonal administrator would be responsible. The permission to film a documentary in these spaces will be subject to consultation with the department of religious affairs," it added.
The auqaf department said no cinematography featuring a woman in a shrine or mosque will be permitted.
The ban came weeks after a video shoot at Wazir Khan Mosque, wherein Saba Qamar could be seen doing a twirl, irked the Islamists. The video was followed by a blasphemy case against Qamar and Saeed and also threats to Qamar by the radical TLP party.
Qamar and Saeed, who faced harsh criticism also apologised to the public in video messages.
“We realise what has happened over the past few days has hurt your sentiments deeply,” Saeed wrote as a caption. “We as Muslims, as decent human beings and as artists will never, ever trivialise or condone disrespect to Islam or any other religion, race, caste, colour or creed. If we have unknowingly hurt anyone’s sentiments we apologise to you all with all our heart,” he had added.
In a notification dated August 13, 2020, the department said: "If any scene is filmed in a mosque or a shrine, the relevant manager and zonal administrator would be responsible. The permission to film a documentary in these spaces will be subject to consultation with the department of religious affairs," it added.
The auqaf department said no cinematography featuring a woman in a shrine or mosque will be permitted.
The ban came weeks after a video shoot at Wazir Khan Mosque, wherein Saba Qamar could be seen doing a twirl, irked the Islamists. The video was followed by a blasphemy case against Qamar and Saeed and also threats to Qamar by the radical TLP party.
Qamar and Saeed, who faced harsh criticism also apologised to the public in video messages.
“We realise what has happened over the past few days has hurt your sentiments deeply,” Saeed wrote as a caption. “We as Muslims, as decent human beings and as artists will never, ever trivialise or condone disrespect to Islam or any other religion, race, caste, colour or creed. If we have unknowingly hurt anyone’s sentiments we apologise to you all with all our heart,” he had added.