IFP- While visiting Turkey for the screening of his film �Muhammad, the Messenger of God�, Majidi, the Iranian director of such films as �The Color of Paradise� and �The Willow Tree�, talked about his movie and the problems he faced in its worldwide release.

This internationally recognized filmmaker also criticised the authorities of Saudi Arabia and Egyptian University of Al-Azhar.

According to a report by Mehr, as translated by IFP, Majidi thanked Turkish people and reviewers for their reception of the film, which is being screened in 350 cinemas throughout the country.

�We should facilitate the movie`s release. Turkey is the first to start it, so I have to especially thank the Turkish government for allowing my film to be screened in good conditions,� said Majidi.

�I ask the opponents of the film to let people comment on it after watching this movie. I invited the authorities of Saudi Arabia and Al-Azhar University, who banned it, to watch my film. They condemned it blindly, though,� he added.

�This is while Sunni scholars in countries like Russia encouraged people to watch the movie,� Majidi noted in an interview with Anadolu.

Asked about whether the movie is the first part of a trilogy, Majidi said, �I wish I�ll manage to make the two other parts of this trilogy; I think this wish is attainable. We didn`t plan it to be a one-part movie. We designed and constructed the film�s location in a way that it survives at least for 30 years.�

�I am preparing for the production of my new project in Mumbai, India, The shooting will begin soon,� he added to dismiss the rumours of his house arrest in Iran.