London, NU Online
The BBC, the world's largest broadcaster, has appointed the first-ever Muslim head of its prominent TV religious programming, drawing cautious welcome from church leaders who want Christianity to feature more prominently in BBC programs. "Aaqil Ahmed has been appointed to the new joint role of Head of Religion and Ethics and Commissioning Editor for Religion TV," the BBC said in a statement.
Ahmed will join the state-funded broadcaster from the privately-run Channel 4, where he was commissioning editor for religion.<>
He will spare the role of overseeing religious broadcasting with Christine Morgan, who has been chosen as head of Religion Radio.
Ahmed is a member of the Runnymede Trust, a body that has championed the ideology of multiculturalism.
He has long campaigned for a greater presence by Muslims, estimated at 2.4 million, in the British media.
BBC insiders hailed Ahmed, who comes from Pakistani origin, as the best-qualified person for the post, noting that snubbing him would have amounted to discrimination.
Ahmed is the first Muslim to occupy the position, considered the most influential religious media post in Britain.
It is only the second time in the BBC's 87-year history that a non-Christian has held the position.
Cautious Welcome
Ahmed's appointment was met with cautious welcome from Christian leaders.
"We will judge the new man by his output rather than his label," said a spokesman for the Church of England.
Rev. Nigel McCulloch, the Bishop of Manchester, welcomed the appointment but said the church would closely monitor the BBC's religious output under its new chief.
"Aaqil Ahmed comes to the post with a good reputation," he was quoted by Islamonline.com as saying.
"At a time when the BBC's coverage of religion caused some disquiet, the Church of England will be watching how the future of religion and ethics develops."
Church leaders have recently criticized what they called downgrading of Christianity in favor of other faiths in society.
In March, Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams raised concerns over what he called the BBC’s marginalization of Christians and bias towards Muslims during a meeting with the corporation's director Mark Thompson.
"Aaqil Ahmed is a respected professional who has an established record of producing programs on religion and ethics," said Christina Rees, a member of the Church's Archbishops Council.
"But it is important that the Christian faith continues to receive coverage that accurately reflects its significance in the lives of most people who live in Britain, the overwhelming majority of whom regard themselves as Christian." (dar)
The BBC, the world's largest broadcaster, has appointed the first-ever Muslim head of its prominent TV religious programming, drawing cautious welcome from church leaders who want Christianity to feature more prominently in BBC programs. "Aaqil Ahmed has been appointed to the new joint role of Head of Religion and Ethics and Commissioning Editor for Religion TV," the BBC said in a statement.
Ahmed will join the state-funded broadcaster from the privately-run Channel 4, where he was commissioning editor for religion.<>
He will spare the role of overseeing religious broadcasting with Christine Morgan, who has been chosen as head of Religion Radio.
Ahmed is a member of the Runnymede Trust, a body that has championed the ideology of multiculturalism.
He has long campaigned for a greater presence by Muslims, estimated at 2.4 million, in the British media.
BBC insiders hailed Ahmed, who comes from Pakistani origin, as the best-qualified person for the post, noting that snubbing him would have amounted to discrimination.
Ahmed is the first Muslim to occupy the position, considered the most influential religious media post in Britain.
It is only the second time in the BBC's 87-year history that a non-Christian has held the position.
Cautious Welcome
Ahmed's appointment was met with cautious welcome from Christian leaders.
"We will judge the new man by his output rather than his label," said a spokesman for the Church of England.
Rev. Nigel McCulloch, the Bishop of Manchester, welcomed the appointment but said the church would closely monitor the BBC's religious output under its new chief.
"Aaqil Ahmed comes to the post with a good reputation," he was quoted by Islamonline.com as saying.
"At a time when the BBC's coverage of religion caused some disquiet, the Church of England will be watching how the future of religion and ethics develops."
Church leaders have recently criticized what they called downgrading of Christianity in favor of other faiths in society.
In March, Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams raised concerns over what he called the BBC’s marginalization of Christians and bias towards Muslims during a meeting with the corporation's director Mark Thompson.
"Aaqil Ahmed is a respected professional who has an established record of producing programs on religion and ethics," said Christina Rees, a member of the Church's Archbishops Council.
"But it is important that the Christian faith continues to receive coverage that accurately reflects its significance in the lives of most people who live in Britain, the overwhelming majority of whom regard themselves as Christian." (dar)
