Britz - channel 4 drama!?

Question

Just finished watching it, scared the s**t out of me. And to be honest, really had a very misguided message. Im not sure if it was supposed to be defending muslims because it didn't. It left me with a feeling that multiculturalism is going to end us all. Having people in your country who dont agree with something to an extent where they will kill themselves and hundreds of innocent victims cant be a good thing. But the programme left me feeling that muslim culture and british culture are totally seperate and quite obviously should not be mixed - i know 52 people that probably would agree with me (if they wernt dead)

im saying that this liberal idea of forcing us to accept quite extremely different cultures is not good - like mixing oil and water, or petrol and fire might be more appropriate. I travel a lot and like experiecing other cultures, but i think people seem to rather just accept people of extremely different faiths not from lack of xenophobia, but from its easy to accept than to object to it. The american foreign policy is bloody terrible and we seemed to get dragged through the s**t with them.

okay Bill, if this is the price of a liberal multi-cultural utopia- so be it. Might put you off using the underground a bit though.

And what about the girl with her black boyfriend and how her father reacted - if thats not extreme racism i dont know what is. You come to england you should accept that you may have to leave certain beliefs (eg strong muslim views) in your country of origin. But unfortunately dangerous liberalism has not asked muslims entering the uk to intergrate with british beliefs, and so ghettos (bradford/ oldham) have grown where extreme beliefs have nurtured. Im pretty sure if the parents of the 7/7 bombers had been told to leave their beliefs where they came from or stay there, then the 52 would still be with us. In fact, i know thats the case.

i see you point 2nd poster - the video at the end was worryingly similar to the 7/7 bombers video.

i aishah: I agree with a lot of what you say but im beginning to question that whole 'multicultural' thing, is it really such a great idea. Example - in a recent study hackney is one of the most mulitcultual parts of the country, with over 100 languages spoken, also regarded in2006 as the worst place to live. Is multiculturalism an international agenda, should every country be forced to accept people of others races and beliefs, or is it just the countries that never question it who have to deal with it. Im sure the israelis and palanstinians are loving multiculturalism, their all holding hands and singing together. I respect every religion for what it is and i dont have th right to say whether its right or wrong. But segregation of these beliefs has existed throughout centuries because of the violence and conflict that ensued (crusades as one example). Why this sudden need to throw everyone in the mix together?

And before you liberals blast my opinions as being racist, im off travelling to africa and india soon because i want to experience and see their culture. Yea, i know a bus ticket to oldham or Bradford would be a lot cheaper but its not really the same is it.

i aishah: a strong muslim belief definetly conflicts with a british one, the belief where women are having arranged marriages, and having to (or choosing to) wear those black robes. Britain is compared to somewhere like Iran extremely Liberal, if you can have a very mild belief in islam then im sure you can get by in British society. But to have a very strong belief in it is where you hear them all in the streets up north insulting what the uk stands for. That is when people just turn around and say "if you dont like it here, f**k off" It really is that simple!

Answer 1

this drama is based on typical cliches and who ever believes in a cliche will not change their mind after it lol

M A

to make a film to show non moslems why some fanatics think the way they do?? i dont care what "excuses" they have to become a terrorist because its just wrong. terrorists are sad people who dont have any valid points to discuss,therefore they just want to force people into something. its vile and there are no excuses for it

Answer 2

I thought this drama effectively drew a distinction, not so much between Muslim and non-Muslim but between radical/extremist and non-extremist views. I say this because the reasons for the bombing were more personal, using religion as some form of excuse - not the cause.

The extremist style video at the end did leave me feeling rather angry, and unfortunately since the character is arguing the case for 'Muslim' justice, this is where the anger is directed. It's really only after thinking more in depth about the themes of the program that I thought this to be misguided. Therefore it worries me to think of the effect had on people who take things at face value and don't re-evaluate.

This probably works both ways too. The police (read: 'state') appeared heavy handed and unreasonable on more than one occasion. I believe it is right to give an unbiased view but I still wonder what the effect this may have on those with a 'borderline' belief in eye-for-an-eye, violent justice who don't wish to think for themselves.

But, I'm sure I'm not giving people enough credit. We are not a mindless society but a free-thinking one, as long as we are not letting ourselves be led blindly .

Long may it remain so.

Answer 3

Firstly, the girl did what she did for personal reasons - best friend's suicide, boyfriend killed (or so she thought), police treating her unfairly and illegally etc.

If you pay attention throughout, you will see that she isn't even a proper muslim (peter K the director also mentions that she is a secularist)

The programme was aimed at non-muslims so that they could understand why some muslims would commit such acts, and in the video at the end, nasima makes sure to inform britons that they are as responsible as anybody and are not in fact 'innocents'.

Answer 4

I thought it was a very good programme even though the characters were rather stereotypical. It was interesting and entertaining - so very good TV - and it's got everyone talking which is also a good thing. I don't feel that Nasima ended with a believable reason for going through with her plans. Ok, she was depressed, her friend had died, her mother was happy to let her cousin kick Jude to death (she left him pretty sharpish too though didn't she with minimal protest) and she thought her brother was indifferent to her problems - but she was an intelligent girl and western enough to realise that her martyrdom wouldn't even dent the bad Laws that upset her while the people who'd trained her were pretty indifferent to her too. She wasn't a fanatic and she obviously had doubts about killing children. A shocking but ultimately weak ending. Good programme though and they should make more like this to aid understanding of other race's problems as well as for their entertainment value. For that reason I loved East is East because, apart from being very funny, it was a slice of someone else's life which was completely unknown to me.

Answer 5

muslims aren't that bad, like that programme made out. Some people will watch that show n understand why people are driven to stupid things like suicide bombings.others will watch it, and be scared of their friends thinking that ordinary peaceful muslims could turn out like that which is really upsetting. Its' good as in that it shows how badly innocent british muslims can be treated by the police and other high authority people.
However the ending was really stupid , it left a horrible message that was wrong and gave the wrong impression.
What was the point of the programme, does any one know?

Answer 6

it was interesting to watch but it was a lota ****
yeh muslims are distressed by what goes on in the world but channel four potrayed us as either sort of 'anti-muslim' like sohail or extremist like the girl wen in actual fact MUSLIMS FOLLOW ISLAM...ISLAM IS A RELIGION OF PEACE so showing us to being all anti-british is bollocks...yes there are some feelings in the community...but that is fueled by such things being shown on tv...for people who live in a multicultural society watching tv that potrays any group or religion in a stereotype is less likely to accept it as they would know people who are from that group however people living in segregated areas only have the tv and what is shown by media as their source of 'education' about relgions...


the 'muslim culture' people associate with muslims is totally wrong because islam is not a religion that is about killing...its the opposite and the word jihad is taken out of context and interepreted wrong. dont get me wrong...i do not agree with terrorist activities coz ppl do it in the name of islam but in the end cause problems for muslims who live in britain...the real muslim culture can mix with british culture coz in my eyes british culture in areas such as london is abut having a diverse mixture...in what ways does muslim culture actually conflict with british?

Answer 7

You know that Muslims were killed that day as well, are you saying that they would agree with you that because they were Muslim they could not be British

I just find you claiming to be the voice of 52 murder victims a bit distasteful

Answer 8

"And before you liberals blast my opinions as being racist, im off travelling to africa and india soon because i want to experience and see their culture."

Do you seriously think that because you go travelling this then means your opinions cannot be racist. I do not understand the rational behind that