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Britain |
Up in arms over comedy |
2012-09-04 |
![]() ...a political party in Pakistan. PTI was founded by former Pakistani cricket captain and philanthropist Imran Khan. The party's slogan is Justice, Humanity and Self Esteem, each of which is open to widely divergent interpretations.... . A new BBC One sitcom about a Pak Mohammedan family in Sparkhill, Birmingham, Citizen Khan has raised age-old questions about the value of comedic satire. Is it mere frippery that offends and isolates to the detriment of social harmony? Or is it a social necessity, a way to tackle difficult issues that otherwise remain unaddressed owing to sensitivities and outdated policies? ![]() Though familiar and benign, these depictions sparked quite an uproar among British Mohammedans: more than 700 people complained to the BBC about Citizen Khan and 20 people approached Ofcom, prompting the television regulator to consider launching an inquiry to determine whether the show had broken the broadcasting code by airing racist content. In different forums, British Mohammedans have accused the show of "taking the mickey out of Islam", being "disrespectful to the Koran" and perpetuating stereotypes about British Asians. But this is a gross overreaction. ![]() By demanding to be spared from sitcom humour, British Mohammedans, or at least the ones objecting to Citizen Khan, are setting themselves apart and thus encouraging the British public to isolate, misunderstand and fear them rather than tease, mock and engage them. Mark Lawson made this point succinctly when he wrote in the Guardian: "My own cultural outsider's view is that Citizen Khan pays British Mohammedans perhaps the highest compliment television can bestow, which is treating them like any other creed and people by subjecting them to a gentle domestic sitcom in the tradition of My Family." |
Posted by:Fred |
#3 Funny as a woman driving. By herself. |
Posted by: swksvolFF 2012-09-04 10:17 |
#2 What Mr. Lawson doesn't understand with his "treating them like any other creed and people" is that Muzzies consider this to be the highest insult possible. The are, according to themselves, so far superior to any other creed or people that to suggest that they are equal is blasphemy. Dhimmis do NOT mock the chosen. |
Posted by: AlanC 2012-09-04 09:16 |
#1 Funny as a pig in a turban. |
Posted by: Thrusotch Cheack3140 2012-09-04 05:33 |