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Differences Widen Between Imam and Al Gindy

Differences seem to widen more and more between a movie industry pole and a prominent Islamic preacher: Adel Imam and Sheikh Khaled Al Gindy. In two separate interviews in Al Beit Beitak (Home, Sweet Home, a widely viewed Egyptian TV program), both talked unfavorably of each other.

In his interview for his latest movie Hassan and Morkos, Imam praised Coptic priests for insider’s knowledge on his role as a man of God who is dressed as a Muslim preacher in order to escape extremists. However, Imam turned all of a sudden against a well-known Muslim preacher who, according to Imam, does not practice what he preaches, because, goes on Imam, he did not even care to respond to his and Hassan’s writer’s, Youssef Maaty’s, inquiries.

“I’ve heard he got a female business manager and another as driver,” says Imam. In fact, Imam has started to attack Islamic preachers at large regretting all proved not to practice what they preach as Mahmoud Saad, program host, wondered why he, Imam, did not refer to Islamic priests for insider’s knowledge just as he did in case of Coptic ones when Saad tactfully interrupted Imam and interrupted talk to another issue.

Imam’s pronouncements raised controversy on Islamic websites and facebook. On his part, Al Gindy responded he did not advice Imam for justifiable reasons.

“I don’t usually advice on works of art at large. Why? I advice on a work as a whole or I don’t. I refuse to have my name mentioned in a work of art I have many reservations on. In Imam’s case, he asked for an advice but I declined because I do not accept to advice on few shots apart from work as a whole. For example, I don’t accept an unveiled woman on screen; I don’t accept hot and naked scenes; I don’t accept, for that matter, kisses and sex. In short, I don’t accept all that goes against Islamic Sharea,” says Al Gindy.

“Now everybody has got to understand faith should by no means be manipulated by anyone and that preachers are not deception tools to beguile people,” adds Al Gindy in passion. 

“Imam asked for Pope Shinouda’s advice. Why didn’t he ask for Al Azhar Grand Sheik’s advice as well? If he [Imam] is really serious in his intentions he should ask Grand Sheik’s advice himself because ‘Sheik Khaled Al Gindy’ does not represent Islam, or Muslims. You can argue for and against anyone – except for Prophet Mohamed (PBUH),” continues Al Gindy in earnest.

As part of preparations for his role, Imam had asked for Pope Shinouda’s advice on some details of Morkos Abdel Shahid character which, upon discussion, turned out should not take off priest’s vestment. As a result, Imam was advised to change priest character into a preacher or a theologian.         
 
 
On his part, Saad, who is on good terms with Imam and Al Gindy, invested a great deal to help patch differences. Right after program, Saad called Al Gindy who stressed his refusal to Imam’s hints at him. Eventually, Saad managed to set things a bit straight after Imam and Al Gindy expressed respect for each other, after all.

Hassan and Morkos traces daily entangles of Hassan Al Attar(Sheriff),  a Muslim Sheik, and Morkos Abdel Shahid (Imam), a Christian Theologian who, involuntarily, exchange roles in cosmopolitan Alexandria. Though basically a comedy, Hassan’s subplot is about a love relationship between Theologian’s and Sheik’s daughter and son respectively. Hassan is written by Youssef Ma’aty, produced by Good News Group and directed by Ramy Imam. 

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