Call to prayer on Channel 4

[HorryIsUpduffed]

As part of its season of programmes on Ramadan, 4Ramadan, Channel 4 will be broadcasting the call to prayer during its programming.

I think this is a great idea. I don't know as much about Islam as I'd like, and I trust Channel 4 to give a balanced account of the religious practices of a range of British Muslims. In that context, the call to prayer is equivalent to having jingle bells on channel idents or a Christmas tree in the background of chat shows etc during December.

But predictably the different newspapers are variously seeing this as deliberately provocative, the first step to a jihadist state, and so on, and the readers' comments are startlingly ignorant and bigoted.

Am I too trusting? is this deliberately provocative rather than educational? is it an integration step too far?

Well I think it's a nice idea. I'm thinking a lot about Islam at the minute, and worrying about the fundamentalist/fanatical element, wondering how we in the west should be tackling it.

The Sun headline today I admit made me larf : Ramadama Ding-dong

Well I won't be watching.

good idea
why won't you be watching tabitha ?

Same reason I don't watch anything else I don't watch on TV! Just not interested in it.

I won't watch it or listen to it. I think it's unnecessary and completely divisive.

I won't be watching either, agree its completely divisive.

Don't we get enough religious crap on our screens as it is?

Agnes Sun headline writers have the best job.

Genuine question: how is it divisive? Surely it promotes tolerance and inclusion?

Divisive would be programming cooking programmes throughout daylight hours...

Good thing there are dozens of other channels to choose to watch then.
It's not divisive, it's a bit of a nudge that your neighbours might be doing something different to you. Educational. Even more so than many Christmas carols.

Cooking programmes wouldn't be divisive either, not unless that was the only thing on offer. I'd be napping rather than watching TV anyway, if I had the choice.
Ramadan is tough going for many when it falls in the early summer.

How does it promote inclusion?

www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/channel-4-to-provoke-viewers-who-associate-islam-with-terrorism-with-live-call-to-prayer-during-ramadan-8682121.html

Any help? It's just information, not indoctrination. You can choose not to watch.

If you work in an environment where you might be in contact with anyone who is keeping Ramadan, it might help you remember why they might be more tired, grumpy, turn down your birthday cake, not want to make thetea, disappear into a private space for 15 minutes at lunchtime, want to take three days off...

'I don't see why it should bother anyone except racist fuckwits.'

Quite. I think it's a good idea. All I'd say is, let's have TV exposure for other religions and belief systems too. And while we're at it, I think all schools and teaching should be secular but all major religions should be explored, in a comparative way. Knowledge and exposure cannot be as damaging as ignorance and fear.

Tabitha I think it is a great thing. Why not try to educate yourself before you start huffing and puffing over this.

It promotes inclusion if it gives people an insight into their neighbours.

Divisive would be banning any mention or explanation of festivals of huge religious significance.

Shameless bump to catch evening traffic.

I'm intrigued. I don't know any Muslim people, and only know a bit about Islam. I'll probably watch some of the programmes.

I won't watch because I have no time for any religious programming.

I have no idea how it is meant to promote inclusivity.

Why is it that songs of praise never used to attract such strong objections but a muslim call to prayer at 3 am has got the racists and bigots going.

the big supermarkets are promoting ramadan offers - it is one of the most important months for muslims - most look forward to this month in anticipation - a bit like christmas. Still cant see how it is divisive.

Why is it that songs of praise never used to attract such strong objections but a muslim call to prayer at 3 am has got the racists and bigots going.

It may have something to do with the atrocities carried out in the name of Islam? The recent be-heading perhaps? Or the murder of a group of Muslim school girls for attempting education?

I think it's a nice idea, a bold one even? but I would understand anti-Islam sentiment as a natural reaction to these barbarous events as opposed to simple 'racism'.

I won't be watching, but I don't watch songs of praise, either. It's hard to move around the BBC without tripping over overtly Christian programming on a Sunday and, to be honest, I don't see any difference. I'm an atheist, so it's not for me, but if there is extensive Christian programming on mainstream TV, then I don't see why people of other faiths shouldn't be represented.

And, since it's on Channel 4, it's not even possible for pearl clutchers to roll their eyes and tut about license payers' money.

Agnes So.....by your logic, if someone does something claiming it is in the name of islam - then that makes the entire religion bad? Racism and prejudices as 'natural reactions' are still unacceptable - no matter how you try to dress it up.

As for the muslim girls who died for education - they loved islam and they loved islam fir giving them rights that some men tried to deny them.

Why does the entire religion of islam come into question when some deranged men do something that islam is totally against?

Do you not know any muslims? Do the muslims you know commit atrocities? Or is it just media that you rely on to stay so incredibly informed about muslims.