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KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia -- Censors have approved Mel Gibson's "The Passion of The Christ" for screening in Malaysia, but the government says only Christians should watch it and only specially designated cinemas can show it.

The film -- a huge hit in the United States, although some worried it could stoke anti-Semitism -- was widely expected to be banned in Malaysia, a multiethnic but predominantly Muslim country that often restricts movies about religion and other sensitive topics.

The government announced this week the movie could be shown, under certain conditions, but publicity material such as posters and movie trailers were not allowed.

The National Evangelical Christian Fellowship, a group of interdenominational churches, said Friday the government had consulted with church leaders, who agreed to the restrictions and were glad the film could be shown at all.

Muslims revere Jesus as a prophet, not as the messiah. The Quran, unlike the New Testament, says that Jesus did not die on the cross and did not save humanity.

Malaysian censors often adhere to rules similar to those applied in some Arab countries, where a strict interpretation of Islam frowns on portraying its prophets as flesh-and-blood characters.

The 1998 animated film "The Prince of Egypt" was banned here for depicting the prophet Moses.

Regardless of the restrictions, Malaysians have been able to buy illegally copied versions of "The Passion" on DVD for months. Video piracy is widespread in Malaysia.

About two-thirds of Malaysia's 25 million people are ethnic Malay Muslims. Most of the rest are ethnic Chinese and Indians, whose faiths include Christianity, Buddhism and Hinduism.

Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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