Why did Iran ban the Saudi Ramadan TV series Muawiya?

Iran’s media regulator (SATRA) has joined Iraq and scholars from Egypt’s Al-Azhar in banning Muawiya, a Ramadan TV series aired by Saudi Arabia’s MBC channel.

On Wednesday, the Iranian Audio-Visual Media Regulatory Authority (SATRA) announced a ban on dubbing and streaming the controversial series across all video-on-demand platforms, private websites, and social media channels.

The regulatory authority, which operates under the country's sole radio and television program provider, the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), stated that the series was unfit for streaming because it “attempts to absolve the Umayyad Dynasty [of wrongdoing against Shia saints]”.

Muawiya: A controversial historical drama

MBC began airing Muawiya—widely regarded as the most expensive series ever produced in the Arab world—a few days ago.

Although completed in 2023, its release was postponed until now due to anticipated controversies.

The historical drama focuses on the life of Muawiya, recognized as the first caliph of the Umayyad Caliphate, an early Islamic empire. His reign began after the Prophet’s son-in-law Ali was assassinated in 661 AD, an event that profoundly impacted the political and religious landscape of the Muslim world.

Iranians’ interest in the series

Many Iranians on social media expressed curiosity about the historical perspective presented in the series, which is expected to contrast sharply with Shia teachings.

MBC, a free-to-air satellite channel, is accessible to many Iranians, but the series is in classical Arabic.

After Persian-subtitled episodes surfaced online in recent days, SATRA intervened and later announced that these were removed in collaboration with judicial authorities.

Iran's alternative programming

On Sunday, the first day of Ramadan in Iran, state-run television resumed broadcasting its own Imam Ali series.

Originally produced in 1997 and considered one of IRIB’s most expensive productions, it follows Shia tradition by depicting the later years of the third caliph, Uthman, and his successor, Ali.

Ali, the Prophet Muhammad’s cousin and one of the earliest converts to Islam, later married the Prophet’s daughter, Fatima. He is regarded as the first of the 12 Shia saints.

Ban in Shia-majority Iraq

Iraq’s media regulator banned the 30-episode series last week, citing concerns that it could incite Shia-Sunni tensions.

While the show has been removed from MBC Iraq, it remains available on other MBC channels and digital platforms.

Why do Shia consider Muawiya a usurper?

The Umayyad rule (661-750 CE) that followed Ali's assassination marks the beginning of the Shia-Sunni divide and dynastic rule in Islamic history.

Then governor of Syria, Muawiya opposed Ali’s election as the fourth and final Rashidun caliph and waged war against him in 657 AD. The Battle of Siffin ended in arbitration, with neither side achieving a decisive victory.

Following Ali’s assassination, Muawiya also challenged the leadership of Ali’s son, Hasan. According to Shia tradition, Hasan agreed to renounce his claim to leadership of Muslims to avoid bloodshed. Shia beliefs hold that Muawiya later poisoned Hasan. Muawiya’s son, Yazid, subsequently defeated and killed Hasan’s younger brother, Husayn, in the Battle of Karbala in 680 AD, a pivotal event in Shia history mourned by millions in Iran and Iraq on its annivesary.

Egyptian Al Azhar scholar’s condemnation

Senior Islamic scholars at Egypt’s Al Azhar University have also prohibited viewing the show, albeit for reasons differing from those in Iran and Iraq.

According to Arab media, their opposition is based on the broader Sunni principle that the Prophet Muhammad’s family and companions, including the four caliphs, should not be depicted in films.