Desi DNA

Adil Ray in extreme Muslim guise
Reclaiming Islam

Desi DNA sends Adil Ray on a mission to find out how young British Muslims are trying to get Islam better representation in the British media. But are they succeeding?

Muslims have been complaining about the level of bad press directed at them, arguing that they only ever seem to appear in the media when it’s to do with terrorism or oddball stories.

Many Muslim organizations have cropped up over the years aiming to bridge differences and tackle the media stereotypes, but how effective are they?

Presenter Adil Ray meets the people swimming against the tide of anti Muslim media bias.

Asim Siddiqui - Chairman of The City Circle, a group of mainly professional Muslims who are active in helping the homeless. Asim feels they rarely get any publicity for their work, their fundraisers are ignored but totally irrelevant anti Muslim stories easily get on the front pages.

Asghar Bukhari - Spokesman for the Muslim Public Affairs Committee UK (MPACUK), explains how he has set up a Media response workshops to educate and engage Muslims about dealing with the media.

Catherine Hussain - Activist for Muslim Public Affairs Committee UK (MPACUK), talks about how MPACUK gives people the tools to respond to the press.

Max Clifford - Public Relations guru, explains what Muslims should be doing and gives his opinion about how bad the situation really is for Muslims.

    Useful Links

    Muslim Public Affairs Committee UK
    City Circle
    Emel Magazine
    Muslim Heritage
    BBC Religion & Ethics

      Your comments

      Share your comments on the Reclaiming Islam feature in this edition of Desi DNA and we'll publish the best comments here.

      Disclaimer: The BBC will put up as many of your comments as possible but we cannot guarantee that all e-mails will be published. The BBC reserves the right to edit comments that are published.

      Read what others have said..

      Ian from Grimsby (North East Lincolnshire
      As a Christian I feel that this program is right to broadcast it. I am feeling unease with Muslim People at this moment cos of their problems. I agree with Sukhi's (Handsworth) comments. Muslims you should be obey our rules and policies from the Law not your Islamic laws. Many thanks Ian future sikh!

      Ayesha, Dewsbury (West Yorkshire)
      With the media portraying Islam in such a negative way, a Muslim would feel that something needs to be done. As a British Muslim born I have seen many occasions in which Muslim have been discriminated upon for no apparent reason. There are alway a few bad apples amongst every religion, race, ethinicity etc and for society to base their opinions on Muslims as whole would be unethical and uncivilised.

      Ayesha Ilford
      A very good documentary portraying Muslims objectively and inviting speakers that are representative of the wider Muslim community. Finally, a documentary where the voice of British Muslims is expressed. Well done!

      Umbreen, Leicester
      I'm sick of hearing all the bad stuff about Muslims. I'm a Muslim, I have loads of friends from different religions/beliefs and my family have always welcomed them. I work really hard from a small British company. Let's start hearing some positive stories please!!!!!!

      Suki, Handsworth
      If Muslims want to stop the level of bad press about them then they need to stop ostracizing themselves from society. Don't cover your face when youre a teacher, don't insist you want a different law than on offer in the country you have chosen to live in... and if you are Muslim but dont agree with Muslims who demand such 'rights' start standing up and saying so.

      Adil Ray

      Adil Ray
      Weekdays, 15.00 - 19.00, BBC Asian Network
      News, music and entertainment

        Nihal

        Nihal
        Weekdays, 09.00 - 12.00, BBC Asian Network
        Daily discussion and interviews

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