Is Netflix haram? Indonesia’s Islamic clerics are ready for a fatwa – if you are

A top Islamic cleric has called on Indonesians to monitor the streaming giant for ‘negative content’, promising swift action against reported transgressions

Shows including Messiah and The First Temptation of Christ have already proven controversial in religious circles

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The Netflix show ‘Messiah’ has been criticised for its portrayal of Muslims. Photo: Netflix

Published: 6:59pm, 23 Jan 2020Updated: 11:19pm, 23 Jan 2020

Indonesia’s supreme body of Islamic clerics says it is ready to issue a fatwa, or religious edict, declaring Netflix haram, or forbidden, if it is found to be providing “negative content”.

Hasanuddin, the chairman of the fatwa board at the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), said on Wednesday that digital platforms like Netflix and social media were both vulnerable to being corrupted by content that went against the country’s religious and legal norms.

The cleric called on Indonesians to monitor Netflix and report any such content, adding that while the MUI was yet to receive any complaints from the public, it would act swiftly as soon as it did.

“If there are people objecting to Netflix’s services and demanding fatwa, MUI will immediately review and make a decision in the edict plenary meeting. That will not take a long time,” Hasanuddin told Tempo magazine.

He added that the MUI had previously shown its willingness to act by issuing fatwa against works containing “deviant” sexual behaviour, pornography, terrorism, and violence.

Hasanuddin also applauded the actions of state-run mobile and internet service provider Telkom Group, which has blocked Netflix since 2016.