Iranian Film 'Ahmad' pulled from Canada fest

The Iranian film 'Ahmad', which depicts the heroic actions of martyr Ahmad Kazemi, has been removed from the lineup of the 2024 Muslim International Film Festival (MIFF) in Toronto, Canada.

The unreasonable move was made following pressure from Canadian politicians and opposition media outlets. 

Directed by Amir Abbas Rabiei, 'Ahmad' was set to compete in the festival's prestigious lineup.

The film was scheduled for screening on November 30 but faced significant backlash for celebrating a commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

The move raises serious concerns about censorship and freedom of expression in Western countries.

The film narrates the real-life events surrounding Kazemi's courageous efforts during the catastrophic earthquake that devastated the Iranian city of Bam in 2003, highlighting the bravery and resilience of responders in the first 18 hours following the disaster. 

The removal of 'Ahmad' sets a troubling precedent for how political games can interfere with cultural events.