UK Islamic TV Channel Fined for Inciting Violence

You know, no matter how much a wolf tries to hide in sheep’s clothing eventually the true nature of the wolf manages to sneak out and expose it’s real self to the world as it was in this case.

When a viewer asked what should be done to someone disrespectful of Mohammed, a host said it was the duty of a Muslim to murder him.
NizamiHP

The British broadcasting watchdog, Ofcom, has fined an Islamic TV channel £85,000 ($133,000) for inciting violence.

Last December, Ofcom ruled that Noor TV had breached broadcasting codes after a host said it was acceptable, or even the duty of a Muslim, to murder anyone who disrespected Mohammed.

Ofcom said the fine imposed today was so large due to the serious nature of the breach, but it stopped short of revoking the channel’s license. The program in question, Paigham-e-Mustafa, was broadcast on May 3, 2012.

Noor TV, which is owned by Al Ehya Digital Television, broadcasts both in the UK and internationally on Sky.

The program’s host, Allama Muhammad Farooq Nizami, answered questions from viewers around the world about a wide range of issues relating to Islam.

When a caller asked what the punishment was for anyone showing disrespect for Mohammed, Nizami, who was sitting alone in the studio, looked straight into the camera and replied, “One has to choose one’s own method. Our way is the peaceful way but when someone crosses the limits, faith-based emotions are instigated. The mission of our life is to protect the sanctity of our beloved Lord. May Allah

accept us wherever there is a need to kill a blasphemer. We are ready, and should be ready at all times, to kill a blasphemer.”

“There is no disagreement about this. There is absolutely no doubt about it that the punishment for the person who shows disrespect for the Prophet is death,” Nizami added.

As well as the fine, the channel was ordered to broadcast a statement of Ofcom’s choosing and must not repeat the offending program.

In its defense, the channel had said rather than inciting viewers to commit murder, the host was asking them “to take responsibility and to become involved where they see disrespect to the Prophet.”

They said that after five years of presenting on Noor TV, the host’s comments were “totally unforeseen and could not be anticipated.”

They also explained that the channel as a whole follows Sufism and aimed to promote peace and understanding around the world.

Al Ehya was dismissed last May for promoting personal political opinion and supporting a violent act during the program.