OFFENSIVE CONTENT: Gulf Countries Warn Netflix Over Content Violating Islamic Values

Gulf countries have warned Netflix about content they say violates Islamic values and are asking the streaming service to remove items deemed “offensive”.

Citing material that they say “violates Islamic and societal values and principles”, a special committee belonging to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which includes the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and Bahrain, made the request on Tuesday, 6th September.

The GCC committee, as well as the Saudi General Commission for Audiovisual Media, issued a joint statement saying: “[Netflix] was contacted to remove this content, including content directed at children, and to ensure adherence to the laws.”

Photo shows a scene from the Netflix series called Jurassic World Camp Cretaceous, where two female characters kiss, undated photo. Gulf Arab countries have issued warning to Netflix, asking it to pull down the series that is violating Islamic and societal standards. (Netflix/Newsflash)

Local media including Al Jazeera have speculated that the move is a response to Netflix releasing content that includes LGBTQ characters.

Al Jazeera said that Saudi state television aired a report on Tuesday that included an interview with a woman identified as a “behavioural consultant” who said Netflix was an “official sponsor of homosexuality”.

The state TV channel also reportedly aired blurred out footage from an animated show that streams on Netflix called ‘Jurassic Park: Camp Cretaceous’ that showed two female characters kissing.

Photo shows a scene from the Netflix series called Jurassic World Camp Cretaceous, where two female characters kiss, undated photo. Gulf Arab countries have issued warning to Netflix, asking it to pull down the series that is violating Islamic and societal standards. (Netflix/Newsflash)

Saudi state TV also reportedly said that Netflix could be banned in the Kingdom over content the authorities deemed to negatively influence children.

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