Citizen Khan Episode 2: Mr Khan’s Thoughts On Disabled Parking
September 4, 2012
UK readers may know that new British Asian comedy Citizen Khan has been heavily criticised since it launched last week. I am a British Asian Pakistani Muslim, like the Khans in the programme, and personally, I think the programme is hilarious.
In last night’s episode, 10 minutes in, Mr Khan shared his views on disabled parking in Mosques. I sincerely hope that these are not shared by all British Muslim community leaders! I am sharing the episode here so that you can see the clip for yourselves and, hopefully, smile. It should be available on BBC iPlayer for the next 5 weeks.
18 Comments
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Same Difference 
Assalam Alayakam,
I personally do not see the funny side of mocking the Muslim community. There are various offensive clips i.e. when Khan pretends he is prostrating when trying to find his mother in law in the changing rooms.
I can take a joke, but my belief is that Jokes + Islam do not go together. Why couldn’t they base the commedy on Pakistani/Indian culture rather then bring religion into it! In one respect the BBC may be testing the tolerence of the Muslim community, if we do not condemn this now than tomorrow they will find it acceptable to air an even more offensive Muslim programme.
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It isn’t a mockery of the Muslim community, it’s a caricature. All sitcoms are made as such; some exaggerated features are added to make it ‘more funny’. I’m not too sure which ‘various clips’ you speak of which were offensive, but that one is most definitely not. Just because someone made an on-the-spot excuse which happens to be an act of worship (note that Muslims aren’t the only ones that prostrate in their prayer; Jews, Hindus, Christians, Buddhists, etc. do too), doesn’t mean he is making a mockery of that particular act.
Again, Islam is not in the lime light here. Pakistani culture is heavily influenced by Islam (and so is Indian culture, though it is also, naturally, influenced by Hinduism), and so the intersection at this point would mean it is difficult to distinguish one from the other.
That is one major slippery slope argument at the end, based upon a conjecture that the initial programme is an ‘Islamic sitcom’.
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Assalam Alaykam,
Citizen Khan is not just outdated, but lazy and offensive.
it patronises its audience by flogging dead jokes and dumb stereotypes. It is offensive for parading as a shiny new comedy when its biggest failure is its lack of originality and wit, which, you’d think, would be a pre-requisite for any new comedy series.
That it is a ‘Muslim’ comedy, dealing in such freighted motifs as the Holy Quran, the hijab and the interior of a mosque, is not its crime. This could have marked its boldness – to take on such subjects in our politically-charged times and turn them into cutting-edge comedy that has something relevant, even provocative, to say.
Why, when some of its writers worked on that other British Asian comedy series, Goodness Gracious Me, did it not manage to replicate its brilliance? Broadcast in the 1990s, it was far funnier and far edgier in the way it simultaneously exploited cultural stereotypes and sent them up. It sparkled with irreverence from its skits on “arranged shags” to its Indian family going out to eat an “English”.
Playing with stereotype can make for close-to-the-bone comedy. Woody Allen did it in his early films, and he was accused of being a self-loathing Jew. Sacha Baron Cohen has made a career in perfecting the art of presenting/sending up the racial stereotype with his satirical creations of Ali G, Borat, et al. Citizen Khan just settles for giving us the stereotype as cardboard cut-out, without doing anything nearly as clever or subversive.
It is no surprise that its first episode made for good ratings. The BBC1 show was watched by 3.6million viewers – but it has already seen nearly 200 complaints sent to the BBC after it was shown yesterday.
I suspect many British Muslims tuned in, hoping to recognise something of themselves, have a laugh at their own foibles, as well as the foibles of those around them. Growing up in the ‘70s, my family would tune into Mind Your Language, however racist it looked and sounded, and face a sad kind of reality – that this was how they were seen – as ignorant, buffoonish immigrants. It’s sadder that so many decades on, we’re tuning into the same thing.
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I’m not Muslim and can’t comment on it’s offensiveness (unless it’s to the senses), but it’s definitely outdated and lazy.
It appears reasonably well written, but some eejit appears to have stipulated the liberal use of canned [pause for effect] laughter.
Obviously they don’t have any real faith in the script itself and the result is like watching a slightly different version of Love Thy Neighbour or Two Pints of Lager.
It’s a bloody dinosaur of TV programming.
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Citizen khan should not bring Islam into it. The comments the actor says about Islam are blasphemas and makes him an infidel. This series should be stopped or changed to show pakistani culture.
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I don’t find anything remotely offensive about Citizen Khan. A lot of comedy shows based on ethnic communities have to indulge in a certain amount of stereotyping. E.g. Seinfeld had a lot of Jewish jokes and you didn’t hear anyone from the Jewish community complaining. Why do we Muslims always overreact? If it is something truly offensive, then sure, let’s speak up. But if we make such a hue and cry over every little thing, then no one will take us seriously when it is something that actually deserves mention.
Citizen Khan is a funny and pretty spot-on portrayal of a community, and I personally think the show’s creators are doing a great job!
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I watched this for the first time last night and, knowing that there have been several complaints made recently, wasn’t quite sure what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised – leaving aside its subject matter for the moment I think it is one of the best written comedies i have seen on UK tv for a long time. Its characters, while clearly exaggerated caracatures with little basis in reality, are fresh and funny – partly because they, while obviously larger than life, are closely observed and carefully drawn. The most important thing about this comedy is that it is a comedy – a piece of light hearted satire designed for entertainment – and not a serious piece of either political journalism or some kind of socio-political commentary on the reality of society in Britain today. So what has all the fuss been about?
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Citizen Khan episode 4 is deeply offensive, there is nothing funny about making fun of the Muslim call to prayer (Azaan) in X-Factor style auditions!
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I agree Majid, Episode 4 did go too far with the X Factor Azaan story.
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this is a brilliant comedy show. you know you’ve arrived when you as a specific group are the subject of a comedy show. Those that complain about it offending them are serial victims poised for the next “offensive” subject. They don’t have a funny bone inside them and wouldn’t recognise something funny if it crept up behind them with a feather dressed in a clown’s costume. The Irony is that they probably would happily laugh at the same jokes if the setting was either an Irish Family (Father Ted, Mrs Brown Boys) or an Indian Family ( The Kumars) . Relax and have a laugh… You have already paid for it (if you have Paid the TV licence!!!, if you haven’t, it’s free!!!)
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I love Citizen Khan, just need another character like Navid Harrid out of BBCs Still Game to make it into another smash hit in the vein of Only Fools and Horses (which took time to grow on people too). I’d love to see a character like Citizen Khan become as loved at Father Ted. Can’t see it happen as the “Terminally Offended” will stem the comedic instincts of the writers.
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Ok so everyone can always make fun of Muslims, that’s right it’s always Muslims. When was the last time the were racist to christianity oh yes that’s right there is no video that takes the piss. Out of Christians. I’m a Muslim. I respect christianity even though I’m muslim
And you know what I’m proud to be muslim. Aaliyah opening the quraan and testing shame on you adil ray. Shame adil. Ray
a muslim but still.
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To Labibah.m, I hope you are joking.
Have you heard of Father Ted
or Life if Brian
very much mocking Christianity, and very much mainstream.
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mocking pakistani culture very good very good mocking muslims very bad very bad
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you are an idiot and have no sense of humour if you find it offensive
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love, love the show……..
you don’t like it, don’t watch it…..
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love the show, if you find it offensive…. turn it off or turn to another show, easy
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“Goodness Gracious Me” set a high standard, and “Citizen Khan” ought not to be condemned simply because it does not meet that standard of humor writing. “Citizen Khan” is funny enough in its own right, and that should be sufficient. Not every comedy can be expected to be a classic written for the ages.
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