Egyptian MPs criticise gay film

An Egyptian film featuring a gay newspaper editor’s relationship with a male policeman has sparked controversy in the Middle Eastern country.

The Egyptian parliament is considering requests to censor scenes containing homosexual elements after over 100 MPs launched a complaint about The Yacoubian Building, claiming it is derogatory towards Egypt’s culture.

Independent MP, Mustafa Bakri, told the Associated Press, “This film is spreading obscenity and debauchery, which is totally against Egyptian moral values.”

Other controversial scenes in the film, based on a novel by Alaa Al-Aswany, question the use of God and forgiveness.

Although not illegal, homosexuality in Egypt, a Muslim country, is seen as immoral and indecent