|PIC1|Muslims in Malaysia have called for the blockbuster movie 'Evan Almighty' to be banned in the country, saying it offends their religion.

Local media has reported that Malaysia's Muslim Consumers Association (MMCA) said the comedy, which plays on the story of Noah's ark and features actor Morgan Freeman as God, was insulting to Islam.

MMCA secretary-general Maamor Osman explained: "The movie refers to the big flood during the time of Prophet Noah, but this has been turned into a comedy which is insulting to Islam."

He added: "Featuring a human being as God in the movie is also against Islam."

The latest outcry was expected, as Bruce Almighty, the prequel to Evan Almighty, was also banned from cinemas in the country following protests by the country's Muslim population.

However, Bruce Almighty was eventually approved by censors in the country, and did later appear on television and also on DVD in the region.

The comedy Evan Almighty tells the story of a US Congressman who is ordered by God to build the ark, and follows similar lines to the story of Noah and the Ark from the book of Genesis in the Bible.

Malaysia has also previously banned Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ from cinema release.