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To Mohammed Shafiq,
My name is Colin Edwards and I am the writer/producer of The
Franz Kafka Big Band, the program that BBC Radio Scotland pulled
this week.
I felt as though I had to reply to the article I read on the
Ramadhan Foundation website as I feel that there are a couple of
points that need clearing up.
Firstly, the comedy shows are not Islamophobic. No religion or
religious person is mentioned by name in any of the programs. We
do not mention Islam at any
point during any of the shows. The reason the shows have been
postponed by Radio Scotland has nothing to do with fears on
their behave about insulting religion, ether Islam or
Christianity. This was a story that was taken up by the press
and distorted.
Secondly, no-one has actually heard these shows so how can
anybody be offended by them? The people that have been,
supposedly, offended by the content of these shows are making
assumptions about something that they, themselves, haven't
actually heard.
Thirdly, again, if you were to actually LISTEN to the shows you
would understand that these programs were made on an
"intelligent basis" and not through "pure hatred". A lot of
thought and care has been put into the making of them to
precisely ensure that all the
satire contained within them is a) accurate and balanced and b)
making a point.
Fourthly, the target of our comedy is not Islam but the climate
of fear, usually generated by western governments, in this day
and age. Fear of freedom of speech. Fear of not being able to
believe what you believe. Fear of terrorism etc.
Myself and everyone involved in the making of these shows have
nothing but respect for Islam. It is a beautiful religion (that
I indeed studied at
University) and one that we're fully aware of is based firmly in
love and peace.
However, we do satirise knee-jerk reaction
hysteria, especially when it comes from a position of dogmatic
belief, whether religious or political.
I hope this has helped to clarify a few questions and thank you
for reading this.
Yours,
Colin Edwards
BBC Producer |
