The Battle for Islam?

Newsnight ran a yet another programme about Islam last night; “The Battle for Islam” was the title.

The programme in its entirety can be watched on the Newsnight website www.bbc.co.uk/newsnight. As far as insightful debate goes, the show, for me, scored 2 out of 10. The research on the topic was poor, and the way the different issues were presented was incoherent and seemed to juggle from one subject to another quite aimlessly.

The weakest element of the programme was the calibre of the guests.

Benazir Bhutto—can hardly claim to be an authentic source of knowledge in Islam.

Omar Bakri Mohammad—does not represent the majority Muslim view, although what he actually said on the programme does not go against the sentiments of the masses in the Muslim world, yet what he is reported to have said on previous occasions represents a minority view.

Maryam Namazie, the Ex-Muslim—someone who identifies him/herself through what he/she was can hardly be said to know what he/she is now! Just a thought!

Reza Aslan—was possibly the only one who talked any sense, unfortunately, often interrupted by the host and not given appropriate time to convey his arguments. And by the way, his book No God but God is excellent!

In sum, a poor effort by the BBC in dealing with a topic of crucial importance. The debate could have been much better.