RIYADH: Riyadh woke up yesterday morning to a disturbing rumor that Fayez Al-Malki, the star of the recent controversial film “Menahi,” had died.
Internet sites and SMS messages carried news that Al-Malki was shot dead in a street in the Nasryah district of Riyadh.
Sabaq Electronic Magazine was the first to announce news stating that Al-Malki was rushed to King Saud Medical City’s Shumaysi Hospital where he was declared dead on arrival. Sabaq, however, published a retraction later in the day, saying that the rumor was wrong and that Al-Malki arrived in Riyadh last night from Taif where he lives.
Al-Malki told Arab News that he was stunned to hear the rumor when he switched on his mobile. “I cannot imagine how worried my family and brothers would be to hear such disturbing news, especially since all of us are already under so much pressure due to my mother’s condition,” said Al-Malki.
He added that his mother is undergoing surgery and that the rumor would cause more stress to his family.
He also expressed his annoyance at being accused of spreading the rumor to create publicity for his film. “This is the third time that I have been subject to such a sick rumor. I have a family that I care for and I do not depend on such methods to achieve popularity,” he said.
Other sites alleged that Al-Malki was cut off by a car while leaving a shop in Riyadh and that an armed man shot him dead.
Al-Malki, who plays Menahi in Rotana’s second movie also entitled Menahi, said he was coming to Riyadh from Taif when the rumor spread and that he was unaware of it at the time.
The rumor of Al-Malki’s death gave an opportunity for different viewpoints to surface. Some who are against filmmaking, cinemas and acting did not waver to utter their animosity, describing Al-Malki and his followers of being spreaders of vice. Others expressed their fear of fanatics resorting to violence and terrorism to enforce their viewpoints. Some accused the filmmakers of resorting to rumors to publicize the, alleged, not so popular film.
Menahi (the film and the actor) continues to stir disagreement as it did when it was first screened in Riyadh, something that put a stop to a 30-year ban on the public showing of films. Menahi was screened last week at the King Fahd Cultural Center with a humble number of people in attendance. The event was also stormed by 13 Saudi men who scolded the audience, cursed Al-Malki and accused him of spreading vice.
“All I could say is that I am presenting respectful art, and that God is with me and that is all that matters,” said Al-Malki.
