Why did the BBC censor a debate about gay Muslims?

I’ve just been shown an amazing clip from a BBC programme called Free Speech.

The programme was conducting a live debate last night in the Birmingham Mosque, in which people are invited to submit video clips on various current affairs issues, which are then debated by an invited panel.

One of the questions was from Asifa Lahore, who self-describes as “Britain's first and only gay Muslim drag queen”. The question Asifa wanted answered was: “When will it be accepted to be Muslim and gay?”

The question was shown, and then just as the panel appeared to be preparing to debate the issue, the BBC presenter Rick Edwards announced, "We were going to debate that question but today after speaking to the mosque they have expressed deep concerns with having this discussion here… so we'll move on to our next question."

You can read more detail about what happened in this post from Raheem Kassam.

The program is called “Free Speech”. Its website boasts that “Britain is a democracy where we can say what we want. So let’s say it”.

Let’s say it? Let’s say it unless you’re a gay Muslim appearing on the BBC.

What was the presenter thinking of? What was the producer thinking of? What is the BBC thinking of?

If their hosts wanted to censor the content of the programme they had no business broadcasting from that venue in the first place.

But once they were there and broadcasting they should have carried on the debate, or pulled the plug live.

It’s not the BBC’s job to pander to censorship or prejudice. The corporation has some serious explaining to do.

http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/danhodges/100263605/why-did-the-bbc-censor-a-debate-about-gay-muslims/

Our much praised (by the left) BBC is at it again.

That would cause outrage in the "community".

I'm not even sure if you should be putting this story up on a forum like this kevins.

What are your reasons?

Why have you done this?

I hope they finished the debate and didn't leave it hanging...

Yet another example of oversensitive religious types stifling debate if you ask me.

Ben_Reilly wrote:Yet another example of oversensitive religious types stifling debate if you ask me.

I agree Ben. The BBC is very anti homophobia however they then defer to religious bigotry how about that for inconsistent. The left do that a lot I find. For example on here the right will have issues with Islam and are called Nazis by the lefties. The same people might also post about militant Homosexuals and they are called homophobes. The left simply keep changing their views to suit an argument. To allow the Mosque leadership to stop this was homophobic nonsense but the BBC has no difficulty reconciling irrationality or bias.

kevins58 wrote:

Ben_Reilly wrote:Yet another example of oversensitive religious types stifling debate if you ask me.

I agree Ben. The BBC is very anti homophobia however they then defer to religious bigotry how about that for inconsistent. The left do that a lot I find. For example on here the right will have issues with Islam and are called Nazis by the lefties. The same people might also post about militant Homosexuals and they are called homophobes.  The left simply keep changing their views to suit an argument. To allow the Mosque leadership to stop this was homophobic nonsense but the BBC has no difficulty reconciling irrationality or bias.

It was total homophobic nonsense, but I do see a certain irony in the right suddenly choosing the side of a free discussion of homosexuality in this particular instance. I don't imagine they would have had the same reaction had the BBC tried to rope in a Christian minister to talk about when the church will accept homosexuality.

I'll stand up for Muslims when their religion is used as an excuse or justification to treat them differently than any other religious whack-job out there. Smelly_bandit, for one, seems to think that every last Muslim deserves to pay for any crime committed by any Muslim anywhere, but he wouldn't subject himself to punishment for a crime committed by another Christian, another white person, another bigot or whatever.

The programme was produced and directed by a private independent company 'for the BBC' and at the request of the Mosque the decision was taken not to have the debate following the video presentation 'in the Mosque' itself and instead it will take place at a different venue and be screened live on the Free Speech programme on the 25 March.

I still say the left have levels of acceptance of behaviour from some groups that they would not tolerate from others. This is a very good example.

Irn Bru wrote:The programme was produced and directed by a private independent company 'for the BBC' and at the request of the Mosque the decision was taken not to have the debate following the video presentation 'in the Mosque'  itself and instead it will take place at a different venue and be screened live on the Free Speech programme on the 25 March.

Thanks for the update, certainly casts the story in a very different light ...

Certainly does, expecially in light of the thread you did about the Christian preacher. Religious intolerance abounds.

Here's the video again and if you slide the timer along until near the very end it gives some details about it.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01tnlgm

they probably threatened to riot and generally create mayhem...the usual answer to "something they dont like"

and stupidly we cave into it, instead of letting them riot then machine gunning the riot.

Victor, it wasn't something they had to do if they didn't want to! It was all voluntary.

The debate is still going ahead:

In a statement, the BBC said: “BBC’s Free Speech is determined to discuss the issues that matter to its viewers. However, out of respect to the Birmingham Central Mosque, who hosted the programme, the decision was made to delay the debate on Muslim gay rights to a future programme. The topic will be raised and debated in full in the edition of Free Speech airing on 25 March.”


I suppose it is up to the Mosque really if they allow something to be debated in its place of worship really, just as I am sure some Christian Churches would also be at odds to do the same, even though to me it would have been better if it had gone ahead in the Mosque.

Shame really as that would have been a big step by the Mosque to air such a debate.

When will it be accepted to be gay and muslim?

kevins58 wrote:I still say the left have levels of acceptance of behaviour from some groups that they would not tolerate from others. This is a very good example.

Crikey - could you just imagine a rich toff killing an animal in an inhumane way?

Get an Arab to do it - that's fine!

BigAndy9 wrote:When will it be accepted to be gay and muslim?

not When.. but Where (in the enlightened Internet on an Aussie site       )

http://www.gaymuslims.com.au/

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notice is father didn't go to the wedding or did i miss that bit . But good for him anyway he is happy .

veya_victaous wrote:

BigAndy9 wrote:When will it be accepted to be gay and muslim?

not When.. but Where  (in the enlightened Internet on an Aussie site       )

http://www.gaymuslims.com.au/

Find Your Next Fuck Buddy
Today at Gay Muslims


Let Us Help You Connect With Gay Muslims
Near You. See for Yourself How Easy It Is
to Meet Gay Men Who Share Your Values and
Belief in Allah. Don't Spend Another Lonely
Night At Home! Find a Muslim Brother to
Hang Out With Now. Ma sha' Allah!

where in Iran do gays hang out together...