Indonesian film stirs religious controversy

A film about religious tolerance in Indonesia has been pulled from a major TV network after an Islamist group warned the film could trigger nationwide violence.<br /><br />Question Mark tackles the issue of religious harmony by showing a Buddhist family, a Muslim family and a woman who converts to Christianity, all living together.<br /><br />But the Islamic Defenders Front, a group with a history of violence, siad the message of pluralism is dangerous. <br /><br />The organisation says it is insulting to show a Muslim playing the role of Jesus in a church play.<br /><br />The group has forced one of Indonesia's main television channels not to air the film.<br /><br />Salim Alatas, from the Islamic Defenders Front said: "We are worried that if Muslims feel insulted there will be burning and rioting, that's what we have to prevent. <br /><br />"That's why the SCTV channel has cancelled the showing because they were afraid."<br /><br />The Indonesian press council says Question Mark is educational because it can teach people about Indonesian values that tend to be forgotten.<br /><br />The council wants the film, which was shown in theatres, to be broadcast on television.<br /><br />Al Jazeera's Step Vaessen reports from Jakarta.