British television airs ‘Muslim Jesus’
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London, England, Aug 20, 2007 / 10:56 am (CNA).- A documentary, broadcast on British television ITV on Sunday, seeks to portray Jesus as Muslims view him. The one-hour program, called The Muslim Jesus, explains how Muslims consider Jesus to be a prophet rather than the Son of God.

The program uses the Koran as its main source, as well as interviews with scholars and historians. According a report by The Guardian, director/producer Irshad Ashraf said representatives from mainstream Anglican and Catholic organizations were invited to participate in the film, but none were available.

Ashraf says the film is an attempt to educate about the spiritual side of Islam. "Jesus is loved and respected by Muslims and he's one of the most important prophets in our religion," he was quoted as saying.

The program was commissioned and narrated by Lord Melvyn Bragg, who describes the documentary as thoughtful and well researched. He hopes the program will help Muslims feel included in British television, reported The Guardian.

According to the Koran, Christ’s crucifixion never happened but was merely a divine illusion. Instead of dying on the cross, Jesus was rescued by angels and raised to heaven.

Patrick Sookhdeo, an Anglican canon and spokesman for the Barnabas Fund, which works with persecuted Christians, accused broadcasters of double standards.

"How would the Muslim community respond if ITV made a program challenging Muhammad as the last prophet?" Sookhdeo was quoted as saying. Sookhdeo also took exception to the Koran's denial of Jesus' divinity and the provocative claim that "[o]n the last day the Koran says Jesus will destroy all the crosses. How can we praise that?" Sookhdeo converted to Christianity from Islam in 1969.

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Subscriber comments:
Published by: Mark
Lancashire England 08/22/2007 05:41 AM EST
I saw bits of the programme and it just came across as propaganda to either convert or naively improve relations between Muslims and Christians. I did at times feel offended by what was said on the programme and do honestly beleive that no Muslim would tolerate a programme that would challenge what we had to see. I have very stong views about the Islamic version of Christ and will keep them to myself so as not to offend the easily offended.
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Published by: john quin
clonakilty, ireland 08/20/2007 04:06 PM EST
There were a plethora of contradictons in the programme, not least the statement by one contributor that Islam is a religion of reason and rationale thought, whereas a central position of Islam is that one cannot use reason to know and understand God.
Is there going to be a "Christian Jesus' programme to balance the Muslim positon presented?
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Published by: A man
New York 08/20/2007 03:34 PM EST
what is wrong showing what others believe in and what that belief teaches. this show is not a challenge. the given info is nothing more than what Quran and Islam tells about Jesus.
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Published by: Linda
Brantford, Ontario, Canada 08/20/2007 12:22 PM EST
For crying out loud! How, indeed, would the Muslim community respond if ANY television network, radio personality, private citizen, cartoonist, Holy Father, or anyone else challenged Muhammad (in any matter)? Our Lord did tell us to expect persecution because of our devotion to Him and His Truth, but, really...isn't constant political "correctness" beyond what we must expect?
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