A 2005 BBC documentary called ‘Don’t panic, I’m Islamic’ has recently come to prominence because, among other things, one harmless group of friends filmed at paintballing has since proved to have been a terrorist cell in training. The programme’s message – to re-assure the British public that the Muslims are just regular Brits with a different religion, and no threat to anyone – was somewhat belied a month later on the 7th of July.
The basic propaganda technique of the documentary was to emphasise the British regional accents many of the Muslims had picked up, how Lord Ahmed loved mushy peas and chips, how another one was a Man U supporter.
The stated social philosophy and political outlook of the characters who appeared would have struck most people as outlandish. You couldn’t help thinking that by emphasising the specifically British cultural traits these people had acquired, the viewer would be lulled into treating their views on, for example, women’s dress or solidarity with the international umma, as comfortable, domestic and normal as well.
In fact, all it showed was how superficial many typical British characteristics are: belief in legal equality of the sexes, the rule of democracy and civil law, and respect for other cultures (unless they are destructive, aggressive and violent) and toleration (except, of course of intolerance) are what are truly British values.
