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British Muslim chosen as BBCŽs head of religion
[Al Arabiya Latest] The BBC broke with decades of tradition Tuesday and appointed its first ever Muslim to head the country's religious programming, a move that has irked several right-wing media outlets and Christian groups, who say Christian views are being sidelined in the United Kingdom.Aaqil Ahmed will join the state-funded broadcaster in July to take up a new joint role as Head of Religion and Ethics and Commissioning Editor for Religion TV, the BBC announced, making Ahmed's appointment the second time in its 87-year history a non-Christian has taken the role. Ahmed's appointment has been seen as controversial by several right-wing media outlets with top newspapers, such as the Daily Telegraph and the Daily Mail, publishing pieces implying he was unfit for the position based on his background and saying he was picked because he was of a "minority faith." The BBC, however, maintained that "Aaqil was picked simply because he was the best candidate for the role," a BBC spokeswoman told Al Arabiya. "We've always said it is BBC policy to recruit on the basis of experience and suitability for the role; not on the basis of faith." Christian lobby group Christian Concern For Our Nation, however, called on its members to write to the BBC objecting to Ahmed's appointment on grounds that he was Muslim, the U.K.-based Asians in Media magazine reported. But according to the BBC spokeswoman: "So far the feedback on the appointment has been very balanced." With regards to the Jewish community's stance, the president of the Commonwealth Jewish Council, Lord Janner of Braunstone, told Al Arabiya: "It is positive that a Muslim has been appointed to head BBC Religion. I greatly hope that he will succeed in the role, and have excellent relationships with all faith communities." Posted by: Fred 2009-05-13 |
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