Lebanon’s Shiite TV stations cancel controversial show on Jesus amid outcry from Christians
By APFriday, August 13, 2010
Lebanon TV stations scrap controversial Jesus show
BEIRUT — Two Shiite Muslim television stations in Lebanon have canceled a controversial program about Jesus. The outlets say they don’t want to stir up sectarian conflict.
The 17-episode program describes Jesus from an Islamic point of view — Muslims believe Jesus was a prophet and a teacher, but not the son of God.
The debate has particular resonance in Lebanon, an Arab nation of 4 million people with a grim history of sectarian strife.
The two stations — the Al-Manar, run by the powerful militant Hezbollah group, and the National Broadcasting Network — started airing the program this week, at the beginning of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
They canceled the show Friday. Christian priests and politicians said the topic might endanger national coexistence.
