OK as per usual there seems to be a general disatisfaction around the net about the presentation of yet another programme on TV about Islam, and I was suprised that no one else had started a discussion on this subject here - unless of course everyone is afraid of being banned by channel four for having an opinion on this subject that might not accord with their own head in the sand over-moderate position.
Firstly, there would be complaints by Muslims if there was nothing on TV reg. Islam and considering the percentage of the Brit population that is Muslim there is way over the quota on TV about Islam compared to other non Xian religions.
Secondly, it seems that Muslims in general will never be satisfied with any programming regarding Islam, as it is obvious that Islam and western culture will never get along and when the differences become so so obvious as they have in such programmes as this, it becomes highley embarresing for everyone. Of course in such situations all Muslims will be able to do is complain that the programming was biased or badly made simply to save face, and cover up the fact that these differences are in truth irreconcilable.
Thirdly, Ajmal Masroor is director of Communities in Action. He provides consultancy and support to media and various government agencies on Muslim issues. He is a broadcaster and regular contributor on national radio and TV programmes, and presents his own programme on the Islam Channel and Channel S. He is obviously a well qualified Muslim journalist and I think it unfair to complain he could have done a better job, or should have known better, plus are we to believe he was not able to choose his team or was not presented with the programme participants beforehand.
Fourthly, I personaly feel it was a fair representation of what ROOT Islam is REALLY all about and it is about time that Muslims dealt with the fact that the non-Muslim Brits involved in the programme are exactly the people that 'root' Muslims will have to deal with in this country, and if they cant deal with them [in a resonable rather than a coercive and violent manner] then they must choose to live elsewhere.
Fifthly, I agree with the opening statement of the programme that British society is going to pot, and I feel that British people have lost all sense of dignity and values, but truthfully I would rather have what we have at present than have an archaic, prejudicial and primitive religion [and many of the statements and behaviours of the Muslims on that programme have only confirmed this] such as Islam imposed upon Britian.
I agree that elements of British society are going to the dogs a bit but I don't think shoe-horning the most inappropriate bunch of people into what is an extreme change of lifestyle is anything other than the usual sensationalist tv.
I fully expect to see more tantrums, shouting and complaining about not being able to wear "normal" clothes.
On the flip side, I was wondering when, in the spirit of trying things out, will we see the opposite version of this program where we see Muslims trying the English lifestyle they're against in this program? Surely anything less would be a grossly unbalanced "experiment" in saving the country?
Originally posted by jamble7000: I agree that elements of British society are going to the dogs a bit but I don't think shoe-horning the most inappropriate bunch of people into what is an extreme change of lifestyle is anything other than the usual sensationalist tv.
Perhaps a few of the participants are not exactly what you might regard as potential Muslim converts, but then if they simply used people who were already contemplating converting to Islam that would not be very representative either. However a sterotypical gay man and a glamour model were perhpas extreme choices but all in all the participants are [within the limits of the programme] reasonably representative of British society.
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Originally posted by jamble7000:On the flip side, I was wondering when, in the spirit of trying things out, will we see the opposite version of this program where we see Muslims trying the English lifestyle they're against in this program? Surely anything less would be a grossly unbalanced "experiment" in saving the country?
Could not agree more, but since it is the latest liberal charity to be supportive of Islam, I suspect that there will be much more media coverage of the supposed value of Islamic culture and much more censorship of anything that might appear too overtly British, in case it is regarded as racist or prejudiced - I mean the Anglo Saxon has decades more apologising to do before they will be forgiven for being the indigenous population of a country where every one else wants to live.
It was very clear that the programme was intended as pure intertainment. In this, it successfully achieved its goal and the Imams in the programme as well as the Muslim participants were no more than intertainers. However, if the Imams thought that the programme would provide them with a platform to explain Islam to UK's non-Muslim population then they are intellectually bankrupt. I did not have any problem with the programme because I noticed right from the begining that I was watching just another reality TV like Big Brother. It just happened to have a bunch of Imams in it. It was a good idea to have a good representation of the British Muslim ethnic make-up (White, Black, South Asian). The programme was ok not excellent or very good. The reason why no one is complaining or saying much about it is because it failed to challenge the viewers. The Imams and Muslims in the programmes sometimes behaved like nazis in their strict regimes (By the way I am a Muslim)! We all know that in Islam rituals and laws are not over-emphasised for those new to the faith. In other words, soon after converting to Islam you can still continue drinking alcohol, eating pork, while you try your level best to gradually stop. You are not expected to stop right away. I am sure that the Imams in the programme know this but they were there to intertain us. For that alone I salute them; it is good to also see Imams as intertainers not only as preachers of hate. In other words, some Imams have a sense of humour and Islam, like any other religion, can be a source of intertainment.
Originally posted by Uthman al-Ghani: It was very clear that the programme was intended as pure intertainment. In this, it successfully achieved its goal and the Imams in the programme as well as the Muslim participants were no more than intertainers...I am sure that the Imams in the programme know this but they were there to intertain us. For that alone I salute them; it is good to also see Imams as intertainers not only as preachers of hate. In other words, some Imams have a sense of humour and Islam, like any other religion, can be a source of intertainment.
I suppose this is another way of dismissing this programme, and I salute you for being so inventive. As with all TV shows [including 'The Retreat'] it obviously must have entertainment value, otherwise it would not be produced, but I personaly doubt very much that the Imams involved feel they are stooges for the British viewing public and do realy belive that this might have been an opportunity to present Islam to the British public, to fill that 'gaping hole' left by secular society.
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Originally posted by Uthman al-Ghani:However, if the Imams thought that the programme would provide them with a platform to explain Islam to UK's non-Muslim population then they are intellectually bankrupt.
It seems that maybe you are not totaly convinced by your own argument above.
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Originally posted by Uthman al-Ghani:The programme was ok not excellent or very good. The reason why no one is complaining or saying much about it is because it failed to challenge the viewers.
It is being discussed at length elsewhere. I have a feelihng that it is being ignored here because Ch4 mods have a reputation of banning anyone who might criticise Islam, plus I think the programme is deeply embarressing for Muslims, and non-Muslim Brits are also deeply embarressed by their behaviour and attitude.
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Originally posted by Uthman al-Ghani:The Imams and Muslims in the programmes sometimes behaved like nazis in their strict regimes.
It seems that tonight the British female convert might prove this point even more succinctly - but then converts do tend to be somewhat more extreme than those born into any religion - but as mentioned above A. Masroor does seem to have some had some sort of confidence in her to have chosen her [or accepted her] as a member of his team.
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Originally posted by Uthman al-GhaniBy the way I am a Muslim)! We all know that in Islam rituals and laws are not over-emphasised for those new to the faith. In other words, soon after converting to Islam you can still continue drinking alcohol, eating pork, while you try your level best to gradually stop. You are not expected to stop right away.
I went to school with many Muslims and I can assure you that this was and is certainly not the perception they had/have of Islam or of those who might convert to Islam - though of course those Muslims who rarely visit the mosque couldnt really give a to** one way or another.
'you are homosexual because you have too many female friends', spend your time with fit young men and you will be 'cured'. Yeah right.
What was interesting about this was the fact that these Muslims learnt nothing. These are teachers willing to expose themselves to the public. A better case for closing down so called 'faith' schools I have not seen.
'gay men are not representative of the British public' why not? drinking and partying are not representative of young heterosexual men?
'We wear the hajib as our focus is not on the western disease of materialism but of spirituality', oh really? so they are not covered in Channel and gucci under all that absurdity? They are not interested in materialism in Pakistan, Saudi Arabia....Iran [which has one of the worlds worst drug abuse problems] well tell that to their gold taps.
These repressed fools should never be allowd anywhere near children. The unquestioning belief in the ravings of some illiterate 40 year old having haluscinations. God help us.
Originally posted by battieboy: 'you are homosexual because you have too many female friends', spend your time with fit young men and you will be 'cured'. Yeah right.
I was rolling on the floor at that point ROFLMAO - I wonder if Lou found any receptive young Muslim men to 'convert' while spending so much time in male company LOL - perhaps that is why he became so anamoured with Islam toward the end, as he found himself a nice Muslim man to 'marry', as did that woman who eventually ensnared her partner after 2 1/2 yrs, all due to the 'moral' teachings of Islam LOL - and suprise suprise she was suddenly very happy with Islam after all that initial distrust and disagreement.
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Originally posted by battieboy:What was interesting about this was the fact that these Muslims learnt nothing.
What have they to learn, it is us poor empty destitutes that need Islam.
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Originally posted by battieboy:These are teachers willing to expose themselves to the public. A better case for closing down so called 'faith' schools I have not seen.
Absolytely agree. Instead of funding Muslim schools to justify keeping Xian schools open, they should all be closed down and the high standards that faith schools [or so we are told]embody, should be enforced upon state schools - or else.
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Originally posted by battieboy:'gay men are not representative of the British public' why not? drinking and partying are not representative of young heterosexual men?.
Hedonism has certainly become the culture of modern society, but gay men have IMHO refined hedonism to an artform.
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Originally posted by battieboy:'We wear the hajib as our focus is not on the western disease of materialism but of spirituality', oh really? so they are not covered in Channel and gucci under all that absurdity? They are not interested in materialism in Pakistan, Saudi Arabia....Iran [which has one of the worlds worst drug abuse problems] well tell that to their gold taps.
Gold Taps, Gold bangles, gold earrings, gold everything - Asian culture is obsessed with money and wealth ROFLMAO.
Originally posted by ghunjan: OK as per usual there seems to be a general disatisfaction around the net about the presentation of yet another programme on TV about Islam, and I was suprised that no one else had started a discussion on this subject here - unless of course everyone is afraid of being banned by channel four for having an opinion on this subject that might not accord with their own head in the sand over-moderate position.
Firstly, there would be complaints by Muslims if there was nothing on TV reg. Islam and considering the percentage of the Brit population that is Muslim there is way over the quota on TV about Islam compared to other non Xian religions.
Secondly, it seems that Muslims in general will never be satisfied with any programming regarding Islam, as it is obvious that Islam and western culture will never get along and when the differences become so so obvious as they have in such programmes as this, it becomes highley embarresing for everyone. Of course in such situations all Muslims will be able to do is complain that the programming was biased or badly made simply to save face, and cover up the fact that these differences are in truth irreconcilable.
Thirdly, Ajmal Masroor is director of Communities in Action. He provides consultancy and support to media and various government agencies on Muslim issues. He is a broadcaster and regular contributor on national radio and TV programmes, and presents his own programme on the Islam Channel and Channel S. He is obviously a well qualified Muslim journalist and I think it unfair to complain he could have done a better job, or should have known better, plus are we to believe he was not able to choose his team or was not presented with the programme participants beforehand.
Fourthly, I personaly feel it was a fair representation of what ROOT Islam is REALLY all about and it is about time that Muslims dealt with the fact that the non-Muslim Brits involved in the programme are exactly the people that 'root' Muslims will have to deal with in this country, and if they cant deal with them [in a resonable rather than a coercive and violent manner] then they must choose to live elsewhere.
Fifthly, I agree with the opening statement of the programme that British society is going to pot, and I feel that British people have lost all sense of dignity and values, but truthfully I would rather have what we have at present than have an archaic, prejudicial and primitive religion [and many of the statements and behaviours of the Muslims on that programme have only confirmed this] such as Islam imposed upon Britian.
Sati G
You think that people are afraid of discussing things to offend the muslims. Don't like british society then you know where to go.
Originally posted by valleyoflove: You think that people are afraid of discussing things to offend the muslims.
Yes - on forums such as this that will ban you for the slightest criticism against the latest liberal charity.
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Originally posted by valleyofloveon't like british society then you know where to go.
Where would that be? Perhaps you can offer a suggestion as I actualy dont know.
I think it quite worrying that you would think there is no room for improvement in Britian, and there is nothing left for us to aspire to, except to move elsewhere if we dont approve. Personaly I would suggest that Britian is the poor relation [in terms of dignity and values] amongst the western European countries, and if you feel there is no room for improvement you are either living in a fantasy world or a nice upper middle class village/small town in the country somewhere.
Noting the lively discussion following Make Me a Muslim here and in other C4 forums, the head of religious programmes at Channel 4 has posted his thoughts on the programme on The TV Show website. Happy New Year
By the way I am a Muslim)! We all know that in Islam rituals and laws are not over-emphasised for those new to the faith. In other words, soon after converting to Islam you can still continue drinking alcohol, eating pork, while you try your level best to gradually stop. You are not expected to stop right away. 
on't like british society then you know where to go. 
