The 7th Muslim Film Festival that took place in the Russian city of Kazan in September has ended in a sex scandal. The issue related to a former porn actress who was awarded at the festival.

Rewarding of German actress with Turkish roots Sibel Kekilli known for criticizing Islam and having starred in several porn films in the past caused major disappointment in the Islamic community. The scandal emerged at the suggestion of the Tatarstan Muslims spiritual leader Ildus Faizov.

The local Culture Ministry, represented by Deputy Minister Guzel Nigmatullina, stated that the representatives of the Islamic Council of the republic under Ildus Faizov himself consulted the selective committee of the festival on religious matters.

Faizov in turn has addressed the Culture Ministry, roundly criticizing the festival. He noted his major discouragement in the choice of the Grand Prix winner, having specifically underlined that no such consultations ever took place. In his address, Ildus Faizov says "the festival has gathered culture activists whose creativity has little to do with the main idea of the Muslim Film Festival and goes against the generally-recognized moral values of Islam."

According to Faizov, Kekilli openly has stated her negative attitude to Islam, accusing the religion of including violence as one of its integral parts.

Sibel Kekilli was named Best Actress for her role in German drama When We Leave. However, her name was not even mentioned on the festival`s website. She gained public attention after starring in the 2004 film Head-On. For her performances, she was awarded twice with a prestigious German movie award, the Lola.
sections: Society