Just prior to the opening of an international touring magic show in Doha, the emir has passed harsher penalties for "witchcraft."
"The Illusionists 1903" is set to open Wednesday at the Qatar National Convention Centre.
Featuring eight international magicians including showman Mark Kalin – who famously made an American Airlines' jet disappear – the show promises "some of the greatest and most dangerous illusions ever built," according to advertisements.
The timing appears slightly ironic as the emir of Qatar earlier this week approved new legislation that includes harsher penalties for individuals engaging in "witchcraft."
However, although "magic" is often associated with "witchcraft", the illusions included in traveling shows like this one are merely tricks, intended to shock and surprise, giving the illusion of magic. Nonetheless, the show has drawn some social media controversy throughout the emirate.
Tweeters took to social media to criticize the upcoming show.
"Magic is against Islam and one of the issues cited in the Quran as atheism," according to Doha News translation.
However, others had advice for those who were upset
Rumors also arose that the show would be canceled when images of posters for the performance being removed circulated on social media
Organizers assured Doha News that the performance is going on as planned.
“It’s not true that the show has been cancelled – it is still going ahead. It has all the right permissions that the law in Qatar requires and was given permission from the Ministry of Culture on Oct. 25,” said Dubai-based organizers Alchemy Project CEO Mac S. Far.
“We are a family-friendly, funny, humorous show. Our intention has never been to insult anyone or to demean anyone’s religion. Other versions of this show have been held in Dubai and Abu Dhabi for three years and have been very popular. We are looking forward to a successful show in Doha and we hope people appreciate it.”
The show will run from Nov. 18 to 21 and tickets can be purchased online .