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Netflix has already started receiving backlash from upcoming series Messiah – with subscribers threatening to boycott the site if the series airs.

The upcoming show, which launches on 1 January, follows the story of a man who claims to be the son of God in the modern-day world.

This central character, played by Belgian actor Mehdi Dehbi, is labelled Al-Massih, which is remarkably similar to the evil figure in Islamic eschatology called Al-Masih ad-Dajjal – someone branded a liar and compared to the Antichrist.

As part of the show, Al-Massih aims to cross 2,000 Palestinian Syrians over the border of Israel.


Michelle Monaghan plays Eva Geller, a CIA agent tasked with discovering if he’s telling the truth or if he’s deliberately our to cause chaos and spark a war.



It aims to see how the world would react if a prophet was to stake his claim in today’s society – but a petition has been launched to stop the controversial show airing.

Netflix subscribers are not happy with the show (Picture: Netflix)

Currently, 3,500 people have signed up to a petition calling for the show to be banned or face a boycott as a result.

Viewers who have seen the trailer claim the show will be anti-Islamic and disrespectful to their beliefs.

Christians also state the show is blasphemous.

One petition signer wrote: ‘To take a very real concept of evil and the end of times, and turn it into some thriller television series is a smack in the face. Muslims believe in the dajjal, the equivalent to the anti-christ to Christians. Disrespect all around.’

Is he telling the truth or lying to spark a war? (Picture: Netflix)

‘This does not just insult one religion, but many,’ added another. ‘This is not a subject that can be taken as a joke and shouldn’t be used for entertainment and “thrill”.

‘It is a reality to many and cannot be taken lightly. I will remove my account for Netflix if they continue. It’s horrible that they could ever think this is okay.’

But show creator Michael Petroni has defended his choice to go ahead with the show, saying they ‘didn’t set out to offend anyone’.

Michelle Monaghan leads the new series (Picture: Netflix)

‘It’s not like I’m welcoming backlash,’ he added. ‘We expect that there’s going to be a lot of noise around the show, and a lot of debate. I’m hoping for debate.’

As part of the show, the team built a replica of Temple Mount and the sacred Dome Of The Rock – which according to Islamic lore, is where the prophet Mohammed ascended to heaven.

It’s also considered a place of holy meaning to many, with Christianity and Judaism also considering Temple Mount of importance.

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The scenes shot there end up in violence between the religious factions.

Petroni added: ‘Obviously historically they don’t meet up happily. But that is where they all meet up. And so to me as a location to a story that’s about politics and religion, it was so symbolic.’

Messiah launches 1 January on Netflix.

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