In a controversial move, Lebanon's Culture Minister Mohammad Mortada has initiated a ban on the film "Barbie," claiming that the movie promotes homosexuality and goes against religious values.

The decision is supported by the influential Shi'ite armed group Hezbollah, led by Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, who has recently intensified his rhetoric against the LGBT community. Nasrallah referred to Islamic texts advocating severe punishments, including death, for offenders.

The Culture Minister's decision emphasizes that the film's content allegedly "promotes homosexuality and sexual transformation" and undermines traditional family values. This decision has prompted Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi to request the General Security's censorship committee, under the Interior Ministry's jurisdiction, to assess the film and provide recommendations.

Joining the ban, Kuwait's Ministry of Information has officially declared the prohibition of the film "Barbie." The decision stems from a commitment to safeguarding public ethics and preserving social traditions.

The Kuwaiti Ministry of Information's committee on cinematic censorship expressed concerns that both "Barbie" and another film titled "TalktoMe" disseminate ideas and beliefs that are incompatible with Kuwaiti society and disrupt public order.

Lafy Al-Subei'e, the Undersecretary of the Ministry for Press and Publication, clarified that while the censorship committee typically censors scenes contradicting public ethics in foreign movies, films containing alien concepts, messages, or unacceptable behaviors are barred entirely. This rule applies uniformly to all foreign cinema productions.

The bans in both Lebanon and Kuwait exemplify the ongoing debate surrounding the depiction of social values and the LGBT community in media, reflecting the influence of religious and cultural sensitivities on cinematic content.