Gulf Arab Nations Ask Netflix To Remove Content Violating 'Islamic And Societal Values And Principles'

Gulf Arab countries on Tuesday (6 September) asked Netflix to remove 'offensive content' violating 'Islamic and societal values and principles' from the streaming platform, apparently targeting programmes that show gay and lesbian people.

A joint statement issued on behalf of a committee of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) made the request, saying the unspecified programs “contradict Islamic and societal values and principles.”

The council’s committee had taken the decision to approach Netflix “in light of the recent observation that the platform was broadcasting visual material and content which violates content controls in GCC countries,” the statement said.

“(The content) violates Islamic and societal values and principles. As such, the platform was contacted to remove this content, including content directed at children, and to ensure adherence to the laws," the statement added, reports Arab News.

Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates each published the statement via their respective governments as well.

While the statement didn’t elaborate, Saudi state TV also aired video of an interview it conducted with a woman identified as a “behavioral consultant” who described Netflix as being an “official sponsor of homosexuality", reports Time Magazine.

The Saudi state TV also showed blurred clips from animated show 'Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous', in which two teenage girls confess they love each other and kiss.

According to a Reuters report, same-sex relationships are criminalised in many Muslim-majority nations and films featuring such relationships have in the past been banned by regulators in those countries, while others with profanity or illicit drug use are sometimes censored.

The latest move by GCC comes after countries in the Muslim world in June banned the public showing of Disney’s latest animated film “Lightyear” over a brief moment showing two lesbian characters kissing.

In April, cinemas in Saudi Arabia did not screen the film Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness after Disney refused a request from Saudi authorities to cut what they called "LGBTQ references".