Channel 4′s latest documentary on British Muslims was always going to be a controversial one.
What British Muslims Really Think, presented by Trevor Phillips, explored the results of a Channel 4 commissioned survey into the attitudes of Muslims living in the UK.
The poll – which was conducted by face to face interviews with 1,000 UK Muslims – revealed some striking statistics and viewers were eager to see how the programme would explore them.
#WhatBritishMuslimsReallyThink Will be interesting to watch, In the UK atm Islamophobia is rife. I hope this documentary is not a smear job
— Nick McCartan (@TheDcMassive) April 13, 2016
I really hope this is a balanced perspective so we can all move forward together. #WhatBritishMuslimsReallyThink
— James Garner (@JamzGarner) April 13, 2016
But they made up their minds pretty quickly on what type of tone they thought the show was taking.
The documentary starts with the 7/7 bombings! Ok see where this is going #WhatBritishMuslimsReallyThink
— Roshan M Salih (@RmSalih) April 13, 2016
#WhatBritishMuslimsReallyThink 'Thanks C4 for stirring up racial tension a little bit more in the name of entertainment'
— AngryBritain.com (@AngryBritain) April 13, 2016
#WhatBritishMuslimsReallyThink pic.twitter.com/Q6dlYDxcyY
— Uncle Saboo (@PhrecklePhace) April 13, 2016
Katie Hopkins decided to tweet during the show – but she was put down fairly rapidly.
@KTHopkins surprising. I've got loads of Muslim mates at uni and they haven't murdered me yet. Strange eh?
— Kia (@Kiaaa_F) April 13, 2016
@KTHopkins how did you get to that number? Ur not twisting stuff to suit ur own agenda by any chance? How predictable!
— Sarah Reoch (@ReochSarah) April 13, 2016
@KTHopkins are you actually watching it? Or too busy typing up your daily drivel article? They didn't actually ask 100000 Muslims.
— Sara (@SenoritaHeckles) April 13, 2016
Muslim viewers also decided to share their views on what they really think about What British Muslims Really Think.
So far, as a British Muslim, I think this skewed program will only increase islamophobia. #WhatBritishMuslimsReallyThink
— Jamillaجميلة (@JamillaTweets) April 13, 2016
As a British Muslim just 14mins in and already frustrated by C4 #WhatBritishMuslimsReallyThink
— Shella Ali (@shellaali) April 13, 2016
My Muslim family certainly don't pose a threat, but that's because they don't take their religion seriously. #WhatBritishMuslimsReallyThink
— Raza Saab (@RazaSaab) April 13, 2016
#WhatBritishMuslimsReallyThink really dislike the term 'Muslim Ghettos' and of them being spoken as 'no go areas' GO TO THEM BOO X
— Mahmuda Khanam (@Adumham) April 13, 2016
If you really want to know #WhatBritishMuslimsReallyThink just come and speak to one, not get influenced by the media – promise we dont bite
— Alia (@aliak_786) April 13, 2016
But viewers did still manage to find some light relief from all the negativity of the show – in the reconstructions of the interviews taking place.
The reconstruction is so depressing, it's like an arranged marriage proposals presentation. #WhatBritishMuslimsReallyThink
— Reza Ali Malik (@rezaalimalik) April 13, 2016
'reconstruction' – tempted to call it acting, since it's highly likely it didn't play out like that #channel4 #WhatBritishMuslimsReallyThink
— FXRHXNXH (@_fbshr) April 13, 2016
Shut up reconstruction actors. Hope you find better acting roles in the future though. #WhatBritishMuslimsReallyThink
— Abdul-Azim আজিম (@AbdulAzim) April 13, 2016
They wondered whether they could have possibly picked a more miserable looking man to represent the Muslim survey respondents.
#WhatBritishMuslimsReallyThink Why did they get the most suspicious looking guy for the reconstruction…
— Israr Hussain (@Israr__) April 13, 2016
Criteria casting had for role of interviewee in reconstruction scenes: "Morbid brown man who doesn't smile." #WhatBritishMuslimsReallyThink
— Aina Khan (@ainakhan5) April 13, 2016
I wouldn't trust the answers of that bloke in the reconstruction. He looks well angry. #WhatBritishMuslimsReallyThink
— Jonathan Church (@jonathan_church) April 13, 2016
The reconstruction looks like a scene from a police drama, the guy looks like a criminal being questioned. #WhatBritishMuslimsReallyThink
— mick mendez (@mendez243) April 13, 2016
Was it even necessary?! Perhaps not.
Is the reconstruction necessary? I think we all get how asking questions works #WhatBritishMuslimsReallyThink
— Ben Knapp (@BenK95) April 13, 2016
Then this guy managed to answer the whole conundrum with one simple point.
Look, we just want retweets and likes like everyone else #WhatBritishMuslimsReallyThink
— M Ullah (@M_Ullah) April 13, 2016
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