On Entertainment
Algeria recently joined the list of Arab countries that have prohibited the popular new film, Barbie. This decision aligns the North African nation with fellow Muslim-majority countries such as Lebanon and Kuwait, who have also banned the movie. Vietnam has also banned the film due to a scene depicting China’s contested territory in the South China Sea.
The ban was enacted after the movie had been shown in Algerian theaters for several weeks. According to a source, the movie Barbie is believed to promote homosexuality and other Western behaviors that contradict Algeria’s religious and cultural values. Similar reasons have been cited by the other Muslim countries that have banned the film.
Kuwait’s state-run KUNA news agency stated that the film’s ideas are incompatible with Kuwaiti society and public order. Lebanon’s Culture Minister Mohammad Mortada criticized the movie for contradicting moral and faith values, promoting homosexuality and transgenderism, and challenging traditional family roles.
Furthermore, Saudi Arabia and the UAE made edits to the movie before allowing its public release in their respective countries.
