Furious Muslims have issued threats against EE

[Aja]

Furious Muslims have issued threats against EastEnders bosses over a storyline that showed an Asian character breaking his Ramadan fast.

Postman Masood Ahmed was spotted snacking on a chapati during the holy month.

BBC chiefs said the incident was supposed to show the “fallibility” of Masood – played by Nitin Ganatra, 40.

But hundreds of angry Muslims have accused the soap of mocking their religion. And some have even threatened the show’s bosses on internet sites.

Security has now been stepped up amid fears a militant bomb nut may target the show and its stars.
One blogger said: “This is a slur on all Muslims. Those involved should pay the ultimate sacrifice. Why should our religion be used for a cheap laugh?”

Another, called VirIslam, wrote: “This is an insult to religion and to all Muslims. Yet again Islam is being laughed at on British television. They should be made to pay for this slur.”

Another rants: “It is vile that the holy month is being used for a cheap laugh.

“TV never portrays Muslims in a good light. We are always the evil bad guys. This plot is making us a laughing stock.”

The episode, screened last month, showed Masood being snapped in the act by Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt, 42).

Muslims claim the storyline is an insult to those who adhere to the strict Ramadan rules by not eating or drinking between the hours of dawn and sunset.

It sparked 110 complaints to the Beeb, which has now issued a statement insisting that it did not mean to cause offence.

It said: “Although Masood is a practising Muslim, he is a fictional character with flaws who realises he has let himself down in a moment of weakness.

“We would like to assure viewers it was not our intention to insult Muslim or Islamic values.
“We try to treat our characters as individuals with their own sets of behaviours. As in real life, they do not always strictly follow all the laws, traditions and customs of their religions.”

It is the latest in a line of EastEnders storylines that have seen complaints flood in.

More than 200 protested after seeing paedophile Tony King (Chris Coghill, 34) groom 15-year-old Whitney Dean (Shona McGarty, 16).
Fans also reacted with fury over the violent death of Jase Dyer (Stephen Lord, 36), who was held hostage and stabbed by a gang.

BBC chiefs revealed earlier this year that EastEnders was its most controversial show, attracting 5,500 complaints from viewers over the previous 12 months – more than double any other show.

Daily Star



I remember that episode and it made me laff simply because I have seen that done in real life with muslims I have worked with .....some people do cheat and cant do Ramadan ..its as simple as that ......I tryed to do it once when i lived in morrocco i lasted a few days and could not hack it anymore

some people just Make me Laff .......

[pirtybirdy]

I guess you'll always get people who complain. There is no getting around it. Christians cheat during Lent. Not all, but it happens. It's tough and it's understandable if one slips, after all, we are all humans. I'm sure Allah will forgive him, and God will forgive the Christians when people slip up.

So, is EE looking to be king of controversy?

[faceless]

I ate a Mars bar during Lent once - may God/Allah/Jeebus/Zeus forgive me!

[eefanincan]

WTF is going on in this world that people can't determine fiction from reality? I purely saw this episode as showing how "human" Massood was in breaking his fast. Why is it that showing someone who is struggling with an aspect of their religion is seen as "laughing" at them. I would think that it would actually bring to light some of their struggles and probably open the eyes of a few others out there who never even thought about the hardship that fasting might cause some people.

I just can't understand all these people who make friviously complaints like this --- switch the damn channel if you don't like it.

[Skylace]

If I have nothing to complain about, I'll find something by golly.

[SpursFan1902]

Such silliness. I can't beleive that people are offended by that scene. Everyone, Muslims included, are human and humans slip up every now and then. It is sad that not everyone can see that.