Nothing is more British than this
The BBC announced today that it is to broadcast a special episode of family favourite Doctor Who to coincide with start of Ramadan on 9th July. The exact details of the plot remain a closely guarded secret but it is understood that the Doctor will make a new acquaintance and share the meal that breaks their daily fast – iftar – with them and their family.
“There have been and always will be Christmas specials of Doctor Who,” said Paul Regan, a spokesperson for the show. “But as someone who travels throughout space and time the Doctor has of course witnessed many different religious festivals so this year we are showing him getting involved in one as well as reflecting a part of the hugely diverse Doctor Who audience.”
“The show will be respectful of Ramadan and its meaning but above all it will very entertaining and feature the usual combination of thrills and memorable baddies that our viewers love.”
Asked if the BBC feared a backlash like the one that greeted Channel Four’s announcement that it would broadcast the morning call to prayer during Ramadan, Mr Regan said that they were unconcerned.
“Ralph Lee, Channel 4’s head of factual programming said, and I quote, ‘Observing the adhan on Channel 4 will act as a nationwide tannoy system, a deliberate ‘provocation’ to all our viewers in the very real sense of the word.’ To be quite honest we thought that made him sound a bit of a idiot in the very real sense of the word.”
“There’s enough division, provocation, tension and ignorance flying around about Islam today so rather than broadcast something for two minutes at three am and consider ourselves edgy and brave, we are showing Doctor Who on primetime television having a Ramadan inspired adventure as they are both a part of British life.”
“No doubt a small minority will take issue with the Doctor enjoying qatayef with cheese instead of Christmas pudding however that’s their problem not ours. We’re not worried about losing our audience, we’re saving that for when we confirm who the new Doctor is going to be even though we’re sure that everyone will come to love Kim Kardashian’s unique take on the role in the end.”
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