The film follows the journey of a renowned television preacher from the historic Al-Azhar Islamic institution in Cairo as he attempts to balance his religious beliefs with the expectations and pressures from politicians, security agencies, and everyday temptations.
Hatem, a young sheikh at a government mosque, transitions from leading prayers to becoming a TV celebrity issuing "fatwas" that captivate millions due to his courage and deviation from traditional religious rhetoric in a society heavily influenced by fundamentalism.
Hatem finds himself caught in a web of conflict, dealing with a partially lost son receiving treatment abroad and a wife whose love has grown cold.
[1] The Hollywood Reporter praises "The Preacher" for its bold and focused critique of the way politics manipulates religion, capturing the dark atmosphere of the times with verve, emotion, and humor.
"[7][8][9] The film's release coincided with Egypt's ongoing struggle with Islamist extremism under the leadership of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, a former army chief who overthrew the Muslim Brotherhood government in 2013.
The film's premiere occurred one day before a suicide bomber killed 28 people in an attack on Cairo's primary Coptic Christian cathedral, an event claimed by the Islamic State.