Muslim group: C4 should axe 'Britz'

A Muslim group has called on Channel 4 not to show new drama Britz.

The British Muslim Forum said the two-parter, whose story features Britain's first woman suicide bomber, could reinforce negative stereotypes.

It was made by Peter Kosminsky and is scheduled to air on Wednesday and Thursday night. The drama is billed as showing brother and sister Sohail and Nasima "pulled in different directions by their conflicting personal experiences in post-9/11 Britain".

Sohail joins MI5 while his sister becomes a suicide bomber.

Forum chairman Khurshid Ahmed said: "Channel 4 should be working with us to defeat terrorism and extremism, not sowing hate and division in our communities, and reinforcing negative stereotypes."

The Home Office has viewed pre-release copy of the film and said views of "moderate Muslims" could be used to complement it.

A spokesman said: "Having seen extracts from the film and heard Mr Kosminsky's comments, we can understand the British Muslim Forum's concerns.

"Given Channel 4's remit as a public service broadcaster, they should listen to the views of moderate Muslims who reject violence and extremism, and they should air those views alongside this film."