UK Islamic TV channel fined for inciting violence
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LONDON: Britain's broadcasting watchdog on Wednesday fined an Islamic television channel £85,000 ($133,000, 99,700 euros) after a presenter said anyone disrespecting the Prophet Mohammed should be killed.
Ofcom ruled that Noor TV, which broadcasts on Sky, had breached broadcasting codes by inciting violence during a program aired on May 3 last year.
The watchdog said the size of the fine reflected the seriousness of the channel's transgression, but stopped short of revoking its licence.
Allama Muhammad Farooq Nizami screenshot. — Courtesy Photo
Presenter Allama Muhammad Farooq Nizami was hosting a phone-in when he was asked what the punishment was for anyone showing disrespect for Prophet Mohammed.
“There is no disagreement about this,” he replied. “There is absolutely no doubt about it that the punishment for the person who shows disrespect for the Prophet is death.”
Ofcom ruled that the channel, which is owned by Al Ehya Digital Television, had transmitted “material likely to encourage or incite the commission of crime” and had failed to “exercise the proper degree of responsibility with respect to the content of programmes which are religious programmes.”
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Comments (35) Closed
Aug 22, 2013 02:17pm
Maybe someone needs to remind basics to mufti sahib. We love our prophet because we believe he was a role model for us as a human being and a Muslim. We also believe that he led his entire life strictly in accordance with Allah's will. So during his life when people disrespected him (like the old woman who used to throw trash at him, stoning at Taif etc) he chose to show love and compassion to these people and prayed for them so that they can guided by Allah to follow the right path. So who should we follow the examples of the prophet himself or Mufti sahib?
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Aug 22, 2013 02:49pm
Well done.
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Aug 22, 2013 02:59pm
Where in the Quran does it say Mr Nazami? You guys make these things up as you go long. Have you forgotten that in the Quran it say if you kill one person its same as killing the whole umma and before any body say its referes to Muslims gain please look up waht umma means.
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Aug 22, 2013 03:51pm
These guys always show their true colours. I think the problem with Islam are the mullahs and ulemas who use the religion to concentrate power and dictate to society.
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Aug 22, 2013 03:54pm
Allama lacked manipulation...
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Aug 22, 2013 04:06pm
Anyone who incites violence should be severely punished. No matter what the pretext.
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Aug 22, 2013 04:05pm
bilkul sahi kia, ilaaj ha inka. still they don't understand how bad things are around us and they do not wish to better it either. Only if our channels were this brave !!!
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Aug 22, 2013 04:08pm
I still never understand how they justify a murder in the name of The Prophet PBUH, when his life was a shining example of love, peace and forgiveness. If he wanted to punish those who hated him or insulted him, he would have done that in his time but he showed nothing but compassion and love towards those people so they could understand him. I don't know when clergy lost its way but for God sake, fix yourself !!!
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Aug 22, 2013 04:09pm
The United Kigdom is a civilised country where we have the rule of LAW. Our politicians do not favour terrorists or those who incite murder in the name of God. We have freedom of religion - As Muslims we can practice our religion without fear and intimidation. Pakistan should learn from the UK and implement the rule of law
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Aug 22, 2013 04:26pm
Whatever the punishments in Islam is, for any crime, does NOT mean that any Tom, Dick and Qadri can go about dispensing justice on the streets. Islam is very strict on everyone getting a fair trial. These preachers need to make this point.
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Aug 22, 2013 04:39pm
Very good but will it be a different rule for British Citzen threatening foreign Citzens? Will Altaf Hussain get any punishment?
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Aug 22, 2013 04:52pm
This against freedom of expression. Another example of discrimination against religious minorities. :-)
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Aug 22, 2013 05:23pm
What everyone is forgetting is that this is indeed the shari ruling on the matter, it is a disgrace that sincere channels such as noor tv are being targeted again and again.
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Aug 22, 2013 05:48pm
They should have shut down the channel for an year.
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Aug 22, 2013 05:53pm
Let's hope we can have the same measures in Pakistan taken when these religious scholars incite hatred and violence.
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Aug 22, 2013 06:35pm
Most Islamic UK channels are run by family Mafia to collect charity money, self projection without any sensible programs. Most of them are below standards of Islam and shows complete disconnect from young Muslim community. They promote piri fiqeeri, with every peer has own channel to project himself and believes. Sames goes for UK based Pakistani channels!
On the issue above, without prejudice the presenters and anchors should be trained first.
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Aug 22, 2013 06:43pm
for surely if am shown disrespect by my own child some form of punishment will be meted out, BUT dear muslim brethren this is the dear prophet, SO a severe punishment,whether death or life time imprisonment should be in order
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Aug 22, 2013 07:51pm
Dawn: Please correct your conversion '
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Aug 22, 2013 07:54pm
if such self styled allamas are provided opportunity via TV, they will ruin the image of their media
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Aug 22, 2013 10:45pm
I am not an Islamic scholar, so I would hesitate in making a judgement on the issue of punishment concerning disrespect to Prophet PBUH. But it is commonly mentioned that tolerance was one of his greatest virtue. There was a time when those who disagreed with him treated him with much disrespect, but he never reacted violently in response. There is no doubt about the humbleness, patience and tolerance of the prophet. PBUM. Learning form his life experience is called "SUNNAT" Which is part of DEEN. His real life example should be the guiding light that Muslim must follow. It is disturbing why such a question should even be asked and especially from a person who's credential to answer is questionable..
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Aug 22, 2013 11:21pm
When the God of Islam is merciful and benevolent, why are Mullahs moving away from it. If somebody condemned Muhammad, death is not a response or reaction to it rather the details of Muhammad's life and works need to be shared so that the individual is enlightened about him and his life.
I am sure the messenger of Peace didn't preach violence even if somebody disrespects him.
Treaty of Huddabiyah is a lesson for Ummah to remember and Ummah should not fall prey to the fools who are said to be the contractors of Islam.
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Aug 22, 2013 11:53pm
This is such a lenient punishment for this so called "allama". These are the people we should put behind bars and Pakistan would be a better place. I wonder how these people have reached UK and for what purpose?.
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Aug 23, 2013 12:43am
Dawn, plz use PBUH after when you write Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). I understand that news is from AFP, but you can edit it to this extent.
Please please dont mind it. It is our right that our (Muslim readers in Pakistan) sentiments are respected.
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Aug 23, 2013 01:06am
Inciting hatred and violence for any reason is not be permissible, such media outlets should be shut sown.
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Aug 23, 2013 01:36am
Televised blind faith is a desperate tool of control of the masses. All religions are superstition. And nothing and no one is beyond scientific critique and analysis
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Aug 23, 2013 02:35am
I believe we all should respect each others religious believes and thoughts and refrain from passing out controversial remarks.
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Aug 23, 2013 03:02am
i wish they learn tolerance instead of terror...
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Aug 23, 2013 03:37am
Can't we get properly educated mufti s rather than a madrasah one who know only what the village maulana taught him.
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Aug 23, 2013 03:44am
@ordinary_citizen:
It's not a decision of Mufti Saheb to speak like this; Its a decision of scholars of all school of thoughts that attack on Prophet Muhammad(pbuh) is in fact attack on Islam as he is representative of Allah, therefore this attack is on the very creator. According to them person committing this sin deliberately got to go.
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Aug 23, 2013 05:26am
The Holy Prophet (PBUH) could never possibly agree with this fools - when did the Holy Prophet (PBUH) ever seek revenge or punishment for those who disrespected him?
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Aug 23, 2013 07:49am
Where does it say in the Quran? This is something made up by our ulemas and now countless people are facing the consequences.
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Aug 23, 2013 10:05am
It seems that UK authorities dint wish to seek explanation and went on with their malafied intentions. Yes, its a law even it was the law when British used to rule sub-continent that whosoever disrespect Rasulullah alaihe salam is awarded with death sentence.
Just like no one can talk about Holocaust, then how can someone disrespect worlds' most respectable personality and hurt billions of people on earth?
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Aug 23, 2013 11:10am
Maybe we can start doing this in all the Islamic Countries. It will solve our problems.
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Aug 23, 2013 11:11am
This Mufti chap has got it all wrong. The Hadith time and again shows that the Prophet time and time again replied any disrespect to him with love and forgiveness.
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Aug 23, 2013 06:13pm
I sometimes wonder what the Holy Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) would think if he could meet one of the muslims, especially a muslim scholar! I'll probably die wondering!
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