Skip to main content

Jordanian censors try to put 'Jinn' back in the bottle

"Jinn," a youth drama that takes place in a private high school in Jordan, has opened a Pandora's box on morals and censorship.
AMMAN, JORDAN - JUNE 12: (L-R) Hamzeh Okab, Salma Malhas, Sultan Alkhail and Aysha Shahaltough attend World Premiere of Netflix Original series "Jinn" at Bisharat Golf Club on June 12, 2019 in Amman, Jordan. (Photo by Juan Naharro Gimenez/Getty Images for Netflix)
Read in 

It did not take “Jinn,” Netflix Originals’ first Arabic series, more than a single episode to cause an uproar on social media in Jordan. Even before the audience had a chance to watch the first few episodes, the public — and some officials — started calling for a ban on the series that showed Jordanian teenagers kissing and swearing.

The series, produced by Netflix and Kibrit Productions, takes a look at the friendship and budding romances between the students of a private high school in Petra, Jordan, after they unwittingly unleash a jinn, an evil spirit in Islam.

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.