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Original poster

Veiled Muslim Woman to deliver C4 Christmas message.

181 replies

uwila · 06/12/2006 12:54

What do Christians think? Is this offensive? I think it is. But, then I think the culprit is probably CH4, not the Muslim community.

Veiled Muslim Woman to Deliver C4 Christmas Message

Discuss....

OP posts:
Tortington · 06/12/2006 13:36

not the point whether you watch it or not.

i'm not gay but i support gay rights

Blu · 06/12/2006 13:39

It did sound as if you said white people were innately racist, Custy.

Did you mean 'those white people who are innately racist' rather than all white people...?

onzephyrstdayofchristmas · 06/12/2006 13:40

I took it as those white people... not all white people

paulaplumpbottom · 06/12/2006 13:43

Sorry I must have misunderstood

saadia · 06/12/2006 13:48

I don't see any need to be offended and I think it's rather intelligent of Ch4. Speaking as a Muslim I would not be remotely offended if a Rabbi or a Priest delivered a message on national television about Eid or Ramadan, in fact I would be very interested in what they had to say.

Sometimes I do admire Ch4 for in a sense doing what I consider to be the right thing. I remember a while back when every channel aired a PPB by the BNP Ch4 refused to do so even though they were breaking the law. I know people will talk about freedom of speech but I really admired them for that.

This is a multicultural society and I think Ch4 understands that.

Tinker · 06/12/2006 13:50

So why is it okay to mock Christianity. And they are mocking it because they deliberately sought out a feisty muslim woman to give a "thought provoking" message on Christmas Day

Who said it's going to "mock" Christianity? "Thought-provoking" doesn't mean mocking.

I actually think mocking Christianity or any other belief system is fair game but do accept that Christmas day (which has been hijacked by Christians anyway ) might not be teh most sensitive time to do it.

ANyway, Blu speaks sense as usual

Original poster
uwila · 06/12/2006 13:55

They are mocking Christianity by airing it on Christmas Day. "Thought provoking" is okay but mocking isn't -- not on Christmas Day.

OP posts:
Tinker · 06/12/2006 13:56

Do you know what she is going to say?

WhenSantaWentQuietlyMad · 06/12/2006 14:01

You have to question the wisdom of it, and the motive.

I can't imagine anyone thinking that getting a woman dressed in a bikini with a visible crucifix to give a message to Muslims at Eid being in good taste.

I do think we need to respect each other's viewpoints, but this is just bound to wind up Christians even more than they are already.

The last laugh is always on those who can't take a joke however.

NOELallie · 06/12/2006 14:03

Don't know. Not a Christian but one thing I have determined to do is not to find things offensive unless I am 100% certain that they are being done on purpose to offend me. If you have to ask whether something if offensive I think the answer is almost certainly no.

UnquietDad · 06/12/2006 14:06

Presumably the Daily Express is worried that this will a) affect house-prices in Surrey and b) knock the Diana conspiracies off the front page.

How is it "mocking" Christianity when we don't know what she is going to say? The whole point of the C4 Alternative message it that it's supposed to be something different, unusual and controversial. (*) I mean, didn't they have Lizzie Bardsley doing it one year, FGS? If you want the trad Queen's Speech you know where to find it - on BBC1 as it should be. Surely if you're he kind of person offended by the very presence of a Muslim on screen - as my mother no doubt would be - the you probably won't be watching Channel 4 anyway. As my mother no doubt won't be.

Anyway, everything else on TV at Christmas is dwarfed by "The Runaway Bride", the "Doctor Who" Christmas Special with Catherine Tate! Cos you ARE all going to be watching it.... aren't you??

(*) Although the one little, mischievous, politically-incorrect corner of me wants to ask if there are going to be subtitles.

Rantaclaus · 06/12/2006 14:08

Again may not be offensive, but OBVIOUSLY (judging by MN reactions alone) the issue is emotive.. I just don't believe that this was not intentional by C4.

saadia · 06/12/2006 14:08

WhenSanta your analogy is very interesting. I presume you suggested the bikini-clad crucifix-wearing woman because you think that would be really offensive to Muslims. Are you then saying that Muslims are offensive to Christians?

Gillian76 · 06/12/2006 14:09

Not offensive. Just very odd.

Why?

Rantaclaus · 06/12/2006 14:10

i love a good debate, would like to see more intelligent & informed television, but reckon that sensationalism does not in and of itself provide that. Alternative is not a synonym for Sensationalist

UnquietDad · 06/12/2006 14:11

Why? Because it's Channel 4. And it's what they do. is it any more strange than any of their previous ideas for the slot?

Original poster
uwila · 06/12/2006 14:12

Tinker,
No, but I bet it is not "Hallelujah. The King is born. Let's celebrate."

If they want to put a muslim woman on to talk about her views on the veil on any other day, then I welcome her views.

Does anyone remember last year when Peacedove started a thread on Christmas Day. I can't remember the title, but I do remember a lot of people thought it was inpoor taste to do it on Christmas. Can anyone else remember what it was about?

OP posts:
UnquietDad · 06/12/2006 14:15

Surely that message will be elsewhere in plentiful supply, all over the TV and radio. If it offends you, put "Carols From King's" on instead.

Tinker · 06/12/2006 14:15

So, you don't know what she's going to say.

Original poster
uwila · 06/12/2006 14:17

Misplaced my tardis.

OP posts:
WhenSantaWentQuietlyMad · 06/12/2006 14:17

No, saadia, you're right, I was just trying to think of an equivalent the other way around, but that isn't a very good one.

I suppose you can't always tell what is offensive to people and their culture. I am guessing that a bikini clad woman with a crucifix would be more offensive to Christians than Muslims!LOL

I don't find a veil offensive, but I must confess that I would not like to be part of a community where a high percentage wear the veil. At least I don't think I would, but I never have, maybe I would get used to it.

I can just guess what C4 are up to, and I think that stoking up more controversy about the veil is the last thing we need at the moment. I detect a sore point about this in "Middle England", and I don't want to see racial/religious divisions opened up any more than they already are.

Rantaclaus · 06/12/2006 14:18

However, there are other religions represented in the UK besides Christianity and Islam - not to mention a fair few atheists. It is interesting to note that of all the faiths in the UK, C4 chose a representative of a religion that has received the most controversial press coverage in recent years to broadcast a message on Christmas.

Rantaclaus · 06/12/2006 14:19

To create real controversy maybe next year C4 might choose a Christian to give a message. Now that would be alternative....

CountTo10LordsaLeaping · 06/12/2006 14:20

I don't think its offensive if not a bit odd. I do think that this is just channel 4 being controversial though and trying to stir things up as we head into xmas. Whilst dispatches have produced some high quality docs etc I question whether this is the right arena to further the debate on religious integration blah blah - I was always under the impression that this was supposed to have a more light hearted feel to it - can't imagine it will this year. I also can't help feeling like this woman is being taken advantage of somewhat and put in a risky position re public outcrys but I spose she's thought it through before agreeing to it.

WhenSantaWentQuietlyMad · 06/12/2006 14:20

I suppose on reflection that there is no reason to assume that the message will contain anything to do with Christmas anyway. It is only a day.

It is probably a mistake in this country to assume that most people are Christians who have a view on this sort of thing.

As usual I am torn between raising an eyebrow and wanting to leave the bait where it is!