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Islamophonic

Thursday 20.03.08

"This is a deathtrap"

Riazat Butt talks mosques, handbooks and surveys in Islamophonic for March, with panelists Jonathan Bartley from the religious think tank Ekklesia,Rabbi Aaron Goldstein from Liberal Judaism and Zaid Hassan from Reos Partners


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Thursday 28.02.08

'We were there man, at the top of our game'

Riazat Butt with a Islamophonic for February

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Thursday 17.01.08

'He was an unruly donkey, who turned out to be a homosexual'

Riazat Butt with a brand new Islamophonic for the new year

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Thursday 15.11.07

Islamophonic for November

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Asalaam alaikum and welcome to the November edition of Islamophonic. It's a show of two halves this month with Allah Made Me Funny nipping in to the studios before the Dutch leg of their European tour.

Writer and public speaker Nonie Darwish tells us about the war on America and Islamofascism Awareness Week

I go to the unlikely setting of Paddington Library to hear how people today celebrate the life and legacy of renowned mystic poet Rumi

And last but by no means least ladies at the Muslim Women's Sports Federation talk about their uphill struggle to get to the Islamic Women's Games in Tehran

No terror update. If we were to tell you all the steps recently announced to counter this evil, we'd need a whole programme. Just remember that terrorism is bad and Muslims are nice.

If you're American then we wish you a happy Thanksgiving. I'm in the US between November 19 and 28, when I'll be hanging out with hijabman and the doubly delightful Amanullah boys from www.altmuslim.com

If you're Jewish Happy Chanukah, if you're Christian then Happy Advent and if you're Sikh then have good Gurpurbs.

See you in December.

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Friday 12.10.07

Islamophonic for October

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Asalaam alaikum and welcome to a festive edition of Islamophonic.

This month we look at hojabis. How fine is the line between a woman wanting to look her best and wanting to arouse attention? Writer and agent provocateur Ali Eteraz has explored the allure of the hijab wearing woman and we have him on the line from Las Vegas.

Model Mosque 2007 has been making headlines around the world for trying to find Britain's best mosque. Repeat after me: "I have eight beautiful mosques before me...but only one of you will become Britain's Next Top Mosque." Thanks Tyra.

The ever so polite country and western singer Kareem Salama talks Stetsons, horses and music.

We have a terror update and a small but select list of Eid parties where you can shake your booty.

In the studio are Yvonne Ridley and Isra Jawad.

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Thursday 06.09.07

Islamophonic for September

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Asalaam alaikum and welcome to Islamophonic, the ultimate weekly Muslim podcast from the Guardian.

Today we drape ourselves in a star-spangled banner to look at Muslim America, where I report from the Islamic Society of North America's 44th Annual Convention.

I've been hanging out with Hijabman, superstar scholar Hamza Yusuf, Muslim punks and Islamophonic blasts from the past Baba Ali and Ibrahim Hooper.

This show is the last weekly Islamophonic because, from October, we go monthly so don't cancel your subscription because, like Arnie, I'll be back.

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Thursday 30.08.07

Islamophonic for Thursday August 30

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Asalaam alaikum and welcome to Islamophonic, the penultimate weekly Muslim podcast from the Guardian.

Today we look at homosexuality, homophobia and racism in Muslim communities.

Jewish community activist Alex Goldberg tells us about Britain's first purpose-built multi-faith prayer centre.

In the studio we have nasheed artist Rakin Fetuga from Mecca2Medina and roving imam Ajmal Masroor.

Next week we have a US special from the ISNA convention . I'll be hanging out with Hijabman, superstar scholar Hamza Yusuf and Muslim punks.

It will be the last weekly Islamophonic because, after that, we go monthly.

Post your comments below and stay in touch. Jazakallah for sticking with us and inshallah, we'll be back in early October.

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Wednesday 22.08.07

Islamophonic for Wednesday August 22

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Asalaam alaikum and welcome to Islamophonic.

On this week's menu we have a tour diary from urban graffiti artist Mohammed Ali who is out and about in Bangladesh, spreading messages of peace and unity with his spray can.

Jehangir Malik from Islamic Relief has just returned from a government-backed trip to Sudan. We hear about the visit and learn of ambitious plans to hold a musical extravaganza to raise funds and awareness about the humanitarian crisis in Darfur.

Imam Asim Hafiz is the only Muslim chaplain in the armed forces. He talks about the swings and roundabouts that come with the territory.

In the studio we have Muslim media power couple Fareena Alam and Abdul-Rehman Malik from current affairs magazine Q-News.

And of course we have a terror update.

Next week: gay Muslims, black Muslims, racist Muslims and news about our star-spangled special

Happy listening!


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Wednesday 15.08.07

Islamophonic for Wednesday August 15

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Asalaam alaikum and welcome to Islamophonic, where we're having a party sharty yaar to celebrate the 60th birthday of Pakistan, one of the most maligned Muslim countries in the world.

It's not on the axis of evil - but you never can tell. The country's problems are too numerous to go into on this blog, but the Guardian manages it very well here.

So rather than a kick a man when he's down, we thought we'd look t'other way and focus on the bright side for a shamelessly subcontinental show. Try saying that when you're drunk.

Today Omar Ali Khan, director of slasher movie Hell's Ground, tells us why Pakistani cinema might just be crawling out of the doldrums.

Producer director Irshad Ashraf experiences the Karachi social scene.

Cricket guru Lawrence Booth gives us the score on Pakistan's prospects at the 20/20 tournament, Declan Walsh tell us what he loves about the Land of the Pure and Observer horoscope writer Neil Spencer reads the planets.

No jokes about Uranus, please.

Laddus are on me.


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Wednesday 08.08.07

Islamophonic for Wednesday August 8

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Asalaam alaikum and welcome to Islamophonic.

In this week's show Sarah Sheriff tells us why the Muslim Women's Helpline has closed.

Humera Khan from An-Nisa talks about her work with young boys, and community activist Zaf Shah explains why Muslims need to be better parents and how greater communication can lead to reduced radicalisation.

Zohra Moosa from the Fawcett Society is my studio guest.

I wouldn't say we've been inundated with names of kids who have finished the Quran or the Torah but you have been telling me what you'd like to hear. This is great feedback - now all I need are some staff and a budget.

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Wednesday 01.08.07

Islamophonic for Wednesday August 1

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Asalaam alaikum and hello from Islamophonic HQ. I have yet to develop my holiday pictures - just a roll-full of burkini shots but you wouldn't be interested in those would you?

In this week's programme Hugh Pancuck from The Nose On Your Face www.thenoseonyourface.com talks about laughter in the face of adversity and why Islam has an image problem. Genius cartoonist Steve Bell also contributes.

Waseem Mahmood tells us why his pop song Yeh Hum Naheen is a starting point for denouncing extremism.

We hear former Islamist Ed Hussain and higher education minister Bill Rammell disagreeing on how to tackle extremism on campus.

In the studio is Faisal Hanjra, spokesman for the Federation of Student Islamic Societies.<

We're also launching a new feature - bigging up kids who have finished the Koran or the Torah. Your ideas and nominations are welcome.


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Wednesday 04.07.07

Islamophonic for Wednesday July 4

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Asalaam alaikum and welcome to Islamophonic - the Guardian's weekly window into the Muslim world and my, what a busy week it's been.

We talk to Scottish blogger and commentator Osama Seed about bomb plots, condemnations and red herrings.

How's this for serendipity? Those lovely people at the City Circle - had an event discussing Islamic activism. We bring you pearls of wisdom from the old hands and reactions from the young Turks who were in the audience.

Speaking of youth, we have a rep from the Federation of Student Islamic Societies - to tell us what went on at the annual conference.

And in what I hope is a returning feature we bring you My Favourite Mosque.

Post your comments below or on Facebook

One of our listeners has promised to find out if poking is haraam. If it is I suggest you throw a [halal] sheep instead.

Islamophonic is taking a well-earned holiday and normal service will be resumed in a few weeks.

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Wednesday 27.06.07

Islamophonic for Thursday June 28

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Asalaam alaikum and welcome to Islamophonic - the Guardian's weekly podcast on Muslim life and strife.

In today's show we look at the many faces of Muslim Britain - the militant, the secular and the truly touchy-feely.

Giving us the radical element is a new movement called British Oppression, which has been busy protesting outside Downing Street and Regents Park Mosque, burning flags and demanding the overthrow of the government.

A new group - issuing a political challenge to the rise of Islamism in this country, as expressed by British Oppression - is the Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain. We hear from the founding member, Maryam Namazie, and from one of its activists, Sohaila Sharifi.

Showing us the middle ground - where Muslims and non-Muslims live happily together - is legendary rock and roll snapper Peter Sanders. His latest exhibition The Art of Integration offers snapshots of the Islamic spirit in Britain. To see some of Peter's work click here.

In the studio is commentator and writer Zia Haider Rahman.

Post your comments below or poke, spank or hug me on Facebook.

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Wednesday 20.06.07

Islamophonic for Wednesday 20 June

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This week we've squeezed in two sirs, a comedian and a suicide bomber.

We have Madeleine Bunting on the Salman Rushdie knighthood brouhaha and the so-far subdued response from British Muslims.

Sir Iqbal Sacranie, fresh from celebrating 10 years of the Muslim Council of Britain, discusses the future of the organisation.

YouTube star Baba Ali chats about being funny, Muslim and loved by millions.

And last but not least we have Islamophonic regular Luqman Ali talking about his play, The Truth About Your Father, which deals with the legacy of a suicide bomber.

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Wednesday 06.06.07

Islamophonic for Wednesday 6 June

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This week we're on the trail of Muslim boxing, soaking up the sweat and sounds of a boxing event in a mosque. After all, what could be more halal than punching someone's lights out in a place of worship? Well the event organisers - the Muslim Directory - say that the Prophet PBUH and his companions used to wrestle in their mosque. Actually, it may be more to do with the fact that if lads are in a mosque, boxing, they're less likely to be out on the streets bothering folk with knives, radical pamphlets or drugs or whatever young Muslim lads get up to these days.

I also travel to Wincobank, Sheffield, to meet rising stars training at St Thomas Boys and Girls Club under the expert gaze of legendary trainer Brendan Ingle, the man who has mentored Naseem Hamed, Herol Bomber Graham, Johnny Nelson and Junior Witter.

We also have fighting talk from award winning sports commentator and Guardian boxing correspondent John Rawling and super promoter Frank Warren.

If you think about it - boxing and Islam make great bedfellows. What other religion so fervently espouses early starts, abstinence, routine and discipline?

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Wednesday 30.05.07

Islamophonic for May 30

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Asalaam alaikum and welcome to a glittery, literary edition of Islamophonic.

In this week's show we're embracing the idea that "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em" and "When in Rome, do as the Romans do" because we're piggy backing on the Guardian-sponsored Hay Festival for our chat with thrusting young writer Mohsin Hamid.

In the studio, chewing over the universally acknowledged truth that a British Muslim in possession of an identity crisis must be in want of a book deal, is the Observer's literary editor Robert McCrum and first time author Imran Ahmed.

While I was away I racked my brains for a label to describe the Muslim media mafia and I could only come up with the following: Islamoscenti, the halalerati, the Islamistas. None of these are particularly good but if you have any better suggestions then drop me a line at riazat.butt@guardian.co.uk.

You see if I were Jewish I could use the term Kosher Nostra. But I can't.

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Wednesday 23.05.07

Islamophonic for Wednesday May 23

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Sarfraz Manzoor goes to Toronto to visit the Little Mosque Prairie sitcom set; he samples halal chocolate, talks to Mohammad Asghar Plaid Cymru's first Muslim Assembly Member, and we tour the British Library's exhibition 'Sacred'..

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Tuesday 15.05.07

Islamophonic for Wednesday 16 May

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With the political protests in Karachi making headlines this week it seemed a good idea to take a good hard look at Pakistan. We talk to the Guardian's Declan Walsh who gives us the low down on the background to the protests in Karachi, and away from the fighting we'll talk to female documentary maker Aliya Salahuddin about how the young have their fun amidst the mullahs and the military and bringing it back home we'll be in Glasgow which recently hosted the Pakistani Film Festival. Joining me in the studio is Fifi Harroon from Geo TV.

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Wednesday 09.05.07

Islamophonic for Wednesday 9 May

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After all the excitement and scandal from Operation Crevice we return to radicalisation with a visit to defence think tank RUSI, picking the brains of academics and policy makers about tipping points and brainwashing.

Ed Hussain, recovering fundamentalist and author of The Islamist, talks about his time with Hizb ut Tahrir.

Popping into the studio to share her thoughts on radicalisation is Brooke Rogers, from the Centre of Risk Management at Kings College London.

On the line from Cairo we have Dr Heba Kotb, an Egyptian sexologist, who dispenses frank sexual advice to viewers of her weekly talk show.

Also in the studio are the Guardian's Brian Whitaker and relationship counselor Luqman Ali, who talk about sex and scholars.

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Wednesday 02.05.07

Islamophonic for Wednesday 2 May

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Hello, asalaam alaikum and welcome to Islamophonic, the Guardian's weekly podcast on Muslim life in Britain.

This week we look at ways forward for Iraq. It's four years on since invasion, the killing continues and there's no sign of a solution.

In the studio we have Taji Mustafa, from Hizb -ut-Tahrir Britain, Ali Latif, from Iraqi Prospect, and The Guardian's Brian Whitaker. We also talk to the Guardian's Iraq correspondent Michael Howard.

We're given some grim reminders of everyday life in Iraq and some frank accounts of life in Britain for Iraqi exiles.

Hizb -ut-Tahrir says the way forward is immediate withdrawal and setting up a caliphate - what do you think? Let us know.

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Wednesday 25.04.07

Islamophonic for Wednesday 25 April

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Hubble, bubble - so much trouble.

This week we look at shisha bars - and how they could disappear under the smoking ban. We've been told there are hundreds of places to have a hookah and that these joints are increasingly popular with young Muslims - an alternative to the pub, a safe place and a shared space for people of all ages, races and religions to kick back and hang out.

But the smoking ban, which kicks in on July 1, will put an end to this throbbing social scene. So what next? In the studio we have Zahed Amanullah, Associate Editor of altmuslim.com, and Mohammed Imran, CEO of the Muslim Youth Helpline.

Our guide through the sticky, smoky and smelly delights of London's Edgware Road - which is packed with shisha bars and cafes - is save our shisha campaigner Ibrahim El-Nour.

Can you be Muslim and still have fun? Let us know what you think.

Watch our shisha bar slideshow

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Wednesday 18.04.07

Islamophonic for Wednesday 18 April

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Asalaaam alaikum and welcome to Islamophonic, our weekly look at Muslim life in Britain. Today we mark a very special occasion - the first anniversary of the Terrorism Act - although technically we shouldn't be celebrating it at all what with birthdays being unacceptable in Islam.

But think of everything we have to be grateful for - extended stop and search powers, control orders and 28-day detentions for suspects - although this may change. But should we shut up, stop complaining and accept that the terror threat requires a tough response? Certainly, the Muslims interviewed by Gallup seem to think so.

We hear from Chief Superintendent Ali Dizaei, the subject of a lengthy and expensive internal investigation into alleged malpractice at the Met. He's also a legal adviser to the National Black Police Association and has been critical of the Forest Gate operations and proposals for passenger profiling.

We also take a peek at the lives of a Hindu family to see whether they face the same struggles as Muslims when it comes to cohesion and identity.

Sitting down for some halal jelly and ice cream in the studio are Yahya Birt, from City Circle, and the Guardian's Vikram Dodd, a senior reporter who writes about policing, the criminal justice system and race relations.

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Wednesday 11.04.07

Islamophonic for Wednesday April 11

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Asalaam alaikum and welcome to Islamophonic, where normal service is now resumed. To our Christians - Happy Eastertide and to our Jewish audience, hope you had a good Passover. Muslims - I don't believe we've had a significant religious event in the last week so you get nothing.

This week we look at my second favourite subject - no, not the afterlife - holidays.

In today's show we check out your experiences abroad and we talk to Mohmed Razip Hasan from the Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board about being 50 and fabulous, no, not him, Malaysia.

Joining me in the studio is Lonely Planet's Tom Hall - he gives us his halal holiday top 10 - and it's the return of Fatwa Focus. Sit back, let your veil down and enjoy the next 23 minutes.

I'm going to Zanzibar for my vacation. It's a Muslim country where modesty and restraint are prized characteristics - so I should feel right at home. Where are you taking your R&R?

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Thursday 05.04.07

Islamophonic for Thursday April 5

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Sarfraz Manzoor writes:

This week's podcast is a time and space travelling odyssey in search of the answer to the question: why can't we all just get along? By 'we' I mean Muslims, Jews and Christians. We all know the sources of modern day conflict but what's less well known is that history is full of examples when all three religions coexisted peacefully. I speak to Zachary Karabell who has just published a new book on this very subject and hear a panel discussion organised by the Jewish Cultural Centre which asks Jews and Muslims have in common, as well as a radio station devoted to celebrating the common heritage of Judaism and Islam. You'll also hear from Berlin where I attended a conference on Muslims in Europe and with me in the studio will be Abdulrahman Jafar who'll be telling me about the work going on at a local level to build bridges between believers.

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Wednesday 28.03.07

Islamophonic for Wednesday March 28

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Yahya Birt from the City Circle - which is a London-based collective of Muslim intellectuals - challenged me to produce a sexy money show. And by Jove I think we've done it.

So in this week's Islamophonic we look at Islamic finance.

It's a billion pound industry, with high street banks and HM Treasury falling over themselves to help Muslims with Sharia compliant banking. But who says halal finance is Sharia compliant and even if it is, is it any good?

In the studio we have the Guardian's personal finance expert Tony Levene and Junaid Bhatti, from the Islamic Bank of Britain. We also talk to Sharia finance-sceptic Dr Mohammed Saleem and halal finance fan Ed Balls, from HM Treasury.

We also take a look inside my shopping basket to see where I'm spending my hard-earned Guardian cash although, truth be told, I could always do with some more.

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Islamophonic for Wednesday March 28

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Yahya Birt from the City Circle - which is a London-based collective of Muslim intellectuals - challenged me to produce a sexy money show. And by Jove I think we've done it.

So in this week's Islamophonic we ask - Islamic finance, pot of gold or crock of shit?

It's a billion pound industry, with high street banks and HM Treasury falling over themselves to help Muslims with Sharia compliant banking. But who says halal finance is Sharia compliant and even if it is, is it any good?

In the studio we have the Guardian's personal finance expert Tony Levene and Junaid Bhatti, from the Islamic Bank of Britain. We also talk to Sharia finance-sceptic Dr Mohammed Saleem and halal finance fan Ed Balls, from HM Treasury.

We also take a look inside my shopping basket to see where I'm spending my hard-earned Guardian cash although, truth be told, I could always do with some more.

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Wednesday 21.03.07

Islamophonic for Wednesday March 21

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Muslims are an excitable bunch - just see how they respond to cartoons and books - and they like nothing more than a debate about representation and diversity. We all know how much fun you can have when discussing who speaks for Muslims in this country, but imagine what a riot we could have if we looked at who makes up the Muslim population.

This week we begin an odyssey through Islam - nibbling on the smorgasbord of schools of thought - and as a taster we look at Shi'ism. Guiding me through is Dr Sajjad Rizvi from the School of Arab and Islamic Studies at Exeter University., Yusuf Al-Khoei, from the Al-Khoei Foundation, an international charity helping Shia and non-Shia Muslims around the world and Reza Sher Ahmed a Shia Muslim from the Afghan Shia community in the West Midlands. Guardian reporter Paul Lewis also joins me in the studio to describe the Ashura celebration he witnessed in Birmingham.

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Wednesday 14.03.07

Islamophonic for March 14

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Are they light? Are they dark?
Is their bite worse than their bark?
These Muslim magazines - are they on a lark?
A bit of news, a bit of fun
Some columns and some more
They all sound really worthy
Are they just a bore?

I'm standing there in Borders
With money in my hand
Oh no I can't deny it
Oh no I've just gotta buy it

My blood runs cold, my religion has just been sold
My Islam is a centerfold, Islam is a centerfold
Nah nah nah nah nah nah nah
Nah nah nah nah nah nah nah
Nah nah nah nah nah nah nah
Nah nah nah nah nah nah nah

[with apologies to Spunge]

Muslim magazines - there aren't that many in Britain - but the ones we do have are a mix of news, analysis, features and columnists with a healthy sprinkle of Islam throughout. But are we being served? Joining me to turn the pages of some select publications are media pundit Sunny Hundal and writer Sarfraz Manzoor. We also have a press digest from Declan Walsh, our correspondent in Islamabad.

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Wednesday 07.03.07

Islamophonic for March 7

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This week I put on some big navy knickers and an aertex shirt and go back to school with an education report. I ask whether Muslim schools are brainwashing children with anti-Western propaganda or if they help children to learn about Islam and understand it, rather than memorising it parrot fashion?

Joining me to discuss the pros and cons of faith schools are Mohammed Mukadam, from the Association of Muslim Schools, who likes faith schools, and Terry Sanderson, from the National Secular Society, who does not.

We also have a report from one of the best performing establishments in England - Manchester Islamic High School for Girls - and a chat with Tahir Alam, a lead author on a 72-page document on how state schools could better accommodate Muslim pupils. Crivens.

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Wednesday 28.02.07

Islamophonic for Wednesday 28 February

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If music be the food of love then it ought to be halal.

There is a widely held opinion that Islam is a joyless religion - banning anything that might be remotely entertaining: pigs, alcohol and pre-marital sex. Is it any wonder that young Muslims are so confused when their faith is so restrictive and removed from the norms of the society they've grown up in? Why can't they just try to enjoy everyday things? No, not guns and mini motos. I mean music - which hath charms to soothe a savage breast. And what are Muslims? Yes, that's right.

Aiming to put the fun back into fundamentalism, Islamophonic dips a toe into Lake Music to test the waters. Choppy? Calm? Crap? We trawl the world (and the world wide web) for Muslim music and music about Muslims. I can't say it's a definitive picture, but it's certainly a snapshot and better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick.

With me in the studio are documentary maker Navid Akhtar and the Guardian Guide editor Malik Meer. And we go from Los Angeles - base of www.muslimhiphop.com - to Leicester on our journey through the Muslim musical landscape. Featured artists include DAM Palestine, the late Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Outlandish and Zain Bhikha.


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Wednesday 21.02.07

Islamophonic for Wednesday 21 February

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Radicals (often referred to as free radicals) are atomic or molecular species with unpaired electrons on an otherwise open shell configuration. These electrons are HIGHLY REACTIVE, so radicals are likely to take part in chemical reactions. Because they are uncharged, their reactivity is different from that of similar ions. Radicals play an important role in COMBUSTION, atmospheric chemistry and many other chemical processes, including human physiology.

The New Radicals were an American MOR band whose lead singer was Gregg Alexander. He wrote and produced all of their songs. The band released one album, Maybe You've Been Brainwashed Too and their biggest hit was You Get What You Give. Alexander disbanded the group in 1999 and went on to write songs for RONAN KEATING, SOPHIE ELLIS-BEXTOR and ENRIQUE IGLESIAS.

If you were looking for a phrase to describe angry and political Muslims, who seem to be everywhere these days, which definition would you go for? The leaders of the western world have taken their cue from Moses Gomberg, who identified the first organic free radical in 1900. Radical Muslims are indeed highly reactive, combustible and atmospheric.

This week on Islamophonic we look at the words radicalism, extremism and fundamentalism. Three terms flung around with gay abandon. But what do they mean and do they mean different things to different people? Our guests include the Lord Chancellor, Lord Falconer, and political editor of the Islam Channel Yvonne Ridley. Alas, they were not interviewed at the same time. That would have been interesting. Yvonne doesn't like the government and I suspect that they are less than keen on her. We also talk to ace academic Dr Richard Jackson, from Manchester University, and Dr Imam Abdul Jalil Sajid.

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Wednesday 14.02.07

Islamophonic for Wednesday February 14

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Riazat Butt writes:

SPF, 32, WLTM SSHM with GSOH N/S N/D
Me: gorgeous, witty, adorable and talented
You: clever, considerate, patient and handsome

Urggh. Every year. Every sodding year. Overpriced roses, booked out restaurants, simpering couples and earnest glances exchanged in buses, offices and supermarkets. It wouldn't happen under Sharia law I tell you. I suppose I should be grateful that I'm still single. Who else would bring you such a beautifully crafted podcast? Hmm? Welcome to Islamophonic.

This week we talk about how to meet your Muslim match, what you can do once you've found them (no, not that, that bit comes after marriage. Stay listening for our sex special and then, inevitably, our divorce special) and what you can do to improve your chances if you are on you're lonesome. Here's some tips if you're a woman: don't be a journalist, don't have an opinion, a sense of humour or ambition. Bitter? No thanks, I'm teetotal.

We've a soft centred Fatwa Focus and, telephone lines permitting, a press round up from the attractively cavalier Iran. You've got to hand it to Ahmadinejad. For a small guy he's got some big cojones - and nuclear facilities. Ha!

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Wednesday 07.02.07

Islamophonic for Wednesday February 7

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Fancy a pint? Ooh yes, I'm parched, me. Hang on - Muslims aren't supposed to drink, are they? Pity someone didn't remind those lads I met in Manchester. They were having a whale of a time, necking Bacardi and brandy with their mates, away from their families and the twitching curtains of their neighbours. Such lovely boys.

This week we look at alcohol and Islam - a strictly teetotal religion. But there's evidence to suggest that more Muslims are drinking. Is it a phase they'll snap out of, or a sign of the way the younger generation is heading? Should we help them, or leave them to it and let them burn in hell?

Our studio guest is Imam Haroon Rashid Patel, who is helping to set up a dedicated telephone crisis line for Muslims with drink and drug problems. We've a well-oiled Fatwa Focus and a press round-up from our Jerusalem correspondent, Rory McCarthy.

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Wednesday 31.01.07

Islamophonic for Wednesday January 31

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La la la la la la

La la la la la la

Oh Sharia law, a legal framework the Islamic way

Oh Sharia law, for our and health and welfare every day

Oh Sharia law, appealing to young Muslims more and more

It's a pathway that they're really longing for

Maybe one day their dream will come tro-oo

(Apologies to Stevie Wonder)

This week we talk to Munira Mirza from a centre-right think tank called Policy Exchange about younger Muslims hankering for Sharia law. We also talk to the Islamic Human Rights Commission, which says the media is "exclusionary", biased and saturated with pejorative ideas about Muslims. Ouch.

We've a pick and mix for Fatwa Focus and a press round up from Islamabad. And, as always, we welcome your comments and ideas but we'd also like cakes.

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Wednesday 24.01.07

Islamophonic for Wednesday January 24

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Welcome to Islamophonic, the first Muslim podcast from a national newspaper. Muslims already dominate our international pages and g2 specials. No doubt the Guardian will soon print a wallchart on Muslims.

This week we talk to thinktank Demos about the government's strategy to stamp out extremism. The government's ham-fisted approach is not endearing the security and intelligence services to the people best placed to help them.

We also have Fatwa Focus - not a rip-off of Football Focus, the Saturday football that used to be presented by Ray Stubbs and is now presented by Manesh Bhasin.

We've also a press digest from the Guardian's new Middle East editor, Ian Black, and studio chat with human rights activist Ruhul Tarafder.

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