Ramadam Complaints

The BBC has received around 110 complaints over EastEnders' treatment of the Muslim festival of Ramadan.

The September 11 episode of the soap saw Masood Ahmed (Nitin Ganatra) snacking on a chapatti during daylight hours behind his market stall 'Masala Masood'.

When confronted by Jane Beale (Laurie Brett), Masood branded himself a 'bad person', before going to on explain how difficult he is finding fasting when he's selling food all day.

During Ramadan, which was observed this year between September 2 and September 30, participating Muslims are not meant to eat or drink between sunrise and sunset, while also offering more prayer.

The BBC has defended the scene, which sparked complaints from viewers, and has issued a statement. It said: "We would like to assure viewers it was not our intention to insult Muslim or Islamic values.

"Within shows such as EastEnders we try to treat our characters as individuals with their own sets of behaviours and opinions, regardless of their religion, race or sexuality and, as in real life, they do not always strictly follow all the laws, traditions and customs of their religions."

It went on: "The Masoods have already proven to be popular with viewers, and we have in general been delighted by the response to them. However, they are a group of just four characters and should not be seen to represent the entire British-Asian or British Muslim experience.

"Although Masood is a practising Muslim, he has his own fallibilities as a human being. Our intention was never to focus primarily on the religion, but on the character's ability to meet the standards he aspires to in life."

Last month, EastEnders received over 200 complaints over its ongoing abuse storyline which sees Tony King (Chris Coghill) grooming his step-daughter Whitney Dean (Shone McGarty).
I think they were very naive to think they wouldnt get complaints about showing a Muslim flouting the traditions/laws (whichever they are) of Ramadam.

I think it was in his character to do that because he isn't religious as Zainab and Shabnam which is why he was hiding when he was eating it. Also when he got the furniture from the pub he didn't tell Zainab where he got it from cos he knew what her reaction would be.

The cast of EastEnders are said to be living in fear following complaints over the soap's portrayal of Ramadan.

Around 110 viewers contacted the BBC after Muslim character Masood Ahmed (Nitin Ganatra) was seen eating a chapatti when he was expected to be fasting in accordance with the religious festival's traditions.

Masood was later seen discussing his decision with Jane Beale (Laurie Brett), branding himself a 'bad person' for giving into temptation.

Reports have claimed that some extremists are threatening to take revenge against the show's cast and crew, sparking security fears at the EastEnders set in Borehamwood, Herts.

An insider told the Daily Star: "Everyone is on edge. Security is pretty tight anyway, but no one is taking any chances. Who knows what could happen if anyone actually tried to carry out the threats and try to breach security? It could be as explosive as a show storyline."

The programme has also been criticised over an ongoing child abuse plot in recent weeks.

Seems they are more than complaints now

Every society has its nutters and these are the ones Muslims have to put up with. They're so easily offended they actually go looking for things to get outraged about.

I thought the scene was quite cute because Mas was slightly ashamed of himself. And we already know he's not very religious.