Religion has become a little bit like a business in recent years, what with preachers giving their own views on religious matters and trying to brainwash people.
“Al Da'eyah” (The Preacher) was one TV show this Ramadan that scored a high number of viewers for its strong storyline and performances. Leading man of the show, Egyptian actor Hani Salama made his debut on the small screen through the highly controversial series.
The series received both positive and negative criticism; but what's more concerning was Hani receiving death threats from religious extremists after appearing on the show. Salama said that he already knew the risks of taking on this role and even expected to be assassinated as a result of it, but none of that mattered as he was doing it for the sake of Egypt.
Hani took on the role to try and understand how people are brainwashed by others who attempt to make a business out of religion. Even more so, he knew that his show was criticized a long time before it was aired, but had he cared about what people thought, it would have never seen the light at all.
The confident actor's political views had a role to play in him accepting this role; he stated that the main factor that led him to immediately accept the role was his civil duty, as he believes that extremists have ruined Egypt by claiming their actions as religiously-justifiable, when in fact they've nothing to do with religion.
Finally, Hani stressed that he did not intend on opening fire on any specific religious preacher or try to imitate a specific person. The actor noted that he had specifically chosen the costume worn in the drama and not one similar to those worn by the Islamic Supreme Council, Al Azhar, to avoid allegations that he's representing it or criticizing it.
