Warning – The BBC does it again

Well, there’s a surprise, the BBC has, after what they say was a competitive recruitment process, appointed a new Religion editor, Aleem Maqbool.    Mr Maqbool, a Muslim and journalist of some note, who previously acted respectively as Auntie’s Pakistan and Gaza/West Bank Correspondent, is reportedly delighted to be taking on a role that will focus ‘on telling stories associated with faith and ethics’ (https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/2021/bbc-news-aleem-maqbool-religion-editor/).  He is due to take up his new position this Spring.

Maqbool is set to succeed Martin Bashir, who stepped down from his role as religious correspondent in questionable circumstances in 2021, following allegations of having fabricated evidence in order to procure an interview with Princess Diana (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-57120603).   Bashir had, in turn, taken over from the controversial former head of religion and ethics, Aaqil Ahmed, who did so much to promote multicultural programming … demonstrating what many complained was clear bias, to the detriment of Christianity.

Now this is interesting.  The BBC was established by Royal Charter in 1927, ‘to inform, educate and entertain’, with committed Christian, Lord Reith, appointed as Director-General.  He it was who had inscribed over the foyer of Broadcasting House, in Latin (where it remains to this day):

“This temple of the arts and muses is dedicated to Almighty God by the first Governors in the year of our Lord 1931, John Reith being director-general. And they pray that good seed sown may bring forth good harvest, and that all things foul or hostile to peace may be banished thence, and that the people inclining their ear to whatsoever things are lovely and honest, whatsoever things are of good report, may tread the path of virtue and wisdom.”

Our society and culture are founded on Christian values, and we are a Christian country.  Though there has been an undeniable decline in religious adherence in recent years, according to the Office for National Statistics, 59% of the population still self-identify as Christian, with only 6.3% identifying as Muslim. (https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/culturalidentity/religion/
articles/exploringreligioninenglandandwales/february2020; https://www.statista.com/topics/4765/islam-in-the-united-kingdom-uk/#dossierKeyfigures).  It would seem, from this, that the BBC has a clear agenda to promote minorities over the majority of society, nevertheless expecting – or hoping – that we should all continue to pay a licence fee in their support, whether we agree with such policies or not.

VfJUK asks on what grounds can and does the BBC justify appointing as Head of religion on the last three successive occasions – since 2009 – only British Asians, two of whom are Muslim, and one from a Muslim family?    Is it seriously to be believed that there were no suitably qualified Christian candidates for the job?

This is not celebrating diversity and reflective of our multicultural society.  It smacks rather of an agenda, overtly hostile to traditional British values and history and aimed at promoting the progressive Islamisation of our country.  Please write to your MP today, complaining of clear bias on the part of the BBC against Christianity and our Christian heritage, and asking what will be done to redress it.