Ramadhan: How Muslim actors portraying "bad characters" are struggling to maintain fast

Ramadhan is a time when Muslims worldwide fast, strengthening their faith. Like other creative sectors, Muslims in the film industry face challenges of balancing their careers and faith.

For a Muslim actor fasting during Ramadan, portraying characters whose actions contradict Islamic principles, such as a drunkard, prostitute, or engaging in actions like kissing, eating, or drinking on set during daylight, presents a dilemma.

Swaib Nakibinge, a movie director and producer renowned for films like Akapapula, Bizibu, and Posho Hunt, suggested that acting is a form of artifice and actors need not fear straying from Islamic boundaries as they are merely assuming roles that aren't reflective of their true selves.

He asserted that if the movie serves as a lesson to the public, it may even yield rewards for the actor.

"You need to understand that this is acting, so it's not real. You are just taking on a role where you have to portray a certain character, which is different to who you really are. And if the movie is a lesson to the public, I think that is good for you as an actor," Nakibinge said.

Similarly, Mulshid Mugabire, known for his role in films such as Monica, Extra Time, and Mistakes Girls Do, emphasised the distinction between the character portrayed and the actor's personal beliefs. He said there's no wrongdoing in fasting and continuing to act because it's a portrayal, not reality. Mugabire, however, acknowledged that religious authorities might interpret it differently.

Aisha Namatovu, the president of Pearlwood, a filmmakers' umbrella body, expressed faith that Allah understands the complexities of being both Muslim and actor simultaneously. She hoped for pardon for actors who take on roles to earn a living, emphasising that fasting is a personal matter between the individual and Allah.

In contrast, Nisha Kalema, a three-time Best Actress winner at the Uganda Film Festival known for her role in Veronica's Wish, suggested that to avoid moral dilemmas, actors should pause their work during Ramadhan. She believes Ramadan should be respected, and decisions about acting during this time should be left to individual conscience and divine judgment.

"Personally, I think much as it's just a job, it's best you focus on other things that might not put you in a position of being true to your fast. Ramadhan should be respected with all it's glory, for the rest of other days we leave it to God to judge," Nisha said.

On March 7, 2024, devout Muslim Muhammad Shaban shared on Quora.com that the permissibility of acting during Ramadhan varies based on personal interpretations of Islamic teachings and circumstances.

Some may continue acting, balancing their professional and spiritual obligations, while others may prioritise spiritual activities during Ramadhan. Shaban advises actors to align their decisions with their faith and conscience.