Date: April 21, 2010
Location: Central London, TBC
Since its inception in 2004, the Islam Channel (Sky Channel 813) has grown to become the most watched Islamic satellite channel in the UK. Through it, British Muslims are now able to access ‘Islamic’ advice on issues ranging from politics, international affairs and Muslim interaction with mainstream society to discussions of marriage, finance and health, and devotional issues such as prayer, fasting and hajj. This has enabled the channel to become a major influence on the evolution of British Islam.
Quilliam’s latest report, Reprogramming British Muslims: A Study of the Islam Channel released on 26 March 2010, has provided an in-depth analysis of Islam Channel content for the first time. Based on a study of key Islam Channel programmes over a three month period, the report revealed that the channel repeatedly promoted problematic, Wahhabi-influenced views on the role of Muslim women, on more mainstream religious traditions, on integration into British society and even promoted the works of extremist preachers and groups – while often sidelining or excluding more moderate voices. The report’s findings were covered in the media and featured on the BBC’s HARDtalk programme.
An executive summary of the report is available here: http://www.quilliamfoundation.org/images/islamchannelexecutivesummary.pdf
The press release on the report’s findings can be found here: http://www.quilliamfoundation.org/index.php/component/content/article/639
Quilliam is holding this discussion with the author of the recent Islam Channel report in order to explore the report’s findings, to examine the role that such channels can and should play within British society, and discuss how such channels can move forward to become a more positive role in the lives of British Muslims.
Spaces are limited. To reserve a place please email [email protected]. Please aim to arrive at around 11:45am so that the event can start promptly at midday. It will draw to a close soon after 1pm.
