30 August 2012
BBC has come under criticism due to its new TV comedy called Citizen Khan aired on BBC1. The comedy, which follows the life of a self-appointed “Muslim community leader” and his British-Pakistani family in Birmingham, received more than 700 complaints that it is stereotyping and insulting Islamic values.
Ofcom, the independent regulator and competition authority for the UK communications industries, also received 20 complaints about the comedy. They have been assessing the complaints to make a decision on launching a formal investigation.
The comedy angered the sensitive British Muslim community, especially those who are of Asian origin. They found it ‘racial stereotyping’ and an ‘irreverent’ depiction of Islam.
On the other hand, some Muslims welcomed the comedy. Former Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain, Yousuf Bhailok, said the show was “the best thing the BBC has done recently. It is good to change the stereotyped image of Muslims always being serious and shouting that has appeared so often in the media.”
