Are We Funny ? Satire is often an effective method to belittle ideologies that are toxic. No one would deny that a caustic piece of comedy can be a form of catharsis, a way to get rid of unpleasant tendencies we all have. Having acknowledged this, we must also realise that there is a time, place and form that satire should take in order to deliver positive results. Under the banner of 'freedom of speech' much has been ridiculed, humiliated, misrepresented and polarised for no other reason but in order to indulge prejudice, hate and misconceived notions. The subtlety of patronising satire can take forms that are insidious and damaging to self-image and community cohesion. We wish to briefly, in what follows, discuss a recent spoof by the BBC: 'Meet the REAL Housewives of ISIS'.
"You should be able to laugh at yourselves", "we are only criticising ISIS", "why can't Muslims be funny", "anyone who can't laugh is an ISIS supporter" and many other such lines are used to deflect any condemnation of egregious satire targeted at 'Muslim extremists'. No one denies that criticism of ISIS, ridicule of ISIS, protest against ISIS is necessary, rightful and should be supported. However, what should not be done in a time of populist rise and general xenophobic malaise, to enchant and ridicule a minority group indirectly in the name of targeting ISIS. The women featured in the video spoke in normal British accents, dressed in normal Muslim attire and were being associated with ISIS. Is it wise or even funny to make such an association when the UK and Europe are seeing a Far Right resurgence? Why resort to showing images of destroyed buildings in a war associated with countless tragedies ?
As Muslim women we should stand up against subtle attacks on us as weak, easily influenced and subdued. We should also as Muslims be able to create quality satire against ISIS; not one in which we feel targeted. All tools ought to be used to reverse this tide of criticism that has reached a point in which we are constantly told to look inward without ever being able to fix our communities problems. This has happened because we have failed to tackle the set of problems as Muslim women. As for the BBC spoof: it was wrongly timed, poorly executed, filled with cliches and patronising.
Furthermore, we believe that as Muslims we should condemn all such spoofs against Muslims and non-Muslims alike. 'Freedom of speech' should never be used as a tool to fan the flames of stereotype, prejudice or hate. Such spoofs will only re-emphasise the duality of West/East, Us/Muslims and will play into the hands of those who we all wish to criticise; namely, ISIS.
It may be more apt for the BBC to apply for a job with the ISIS propaganda operations and leave public service. Is that statement funny ? I will leave it for the BBC to judge.
"You should be able to laugh at yourselves", "we are only criticising ISIS", "why can't Muslims be funny", "anyone who can't laugh is an ISIS supporter" and many other such lines are used to deflect any condemnation of egregious satire targeted at 'Muslim extremists'. No one denies that criticism of ISIS, ridicule of ISIS, protest against ISIS is necessary, rightful and should be supported. However, what should not be done in a time of populist rise and general xenophobic malaise, to enchant and ridicule a minority group indirectly in the name of targeting ISIS. The women featured in the video spoke in normal British accents, dressed in normal Muslim attire and were being associated with ISIS. Is it wise or even funny to make such an association when the UK and Europe are seeing a Far Right resurgence? Why resort to showing images of destroyed buildings in a war associated with countless tragedies ?
As Muslim women we should stand up against subtle attacks on us as weak, easily influenced and subdued. We should also as Muslims be able to create quality satire against ISIS; not one in which we feel targeted. All tools ought to be used to reverse this tide of criticism that has reached a point in which we are constantly told to look inward without ever being able to fix our communities problems. This has happened because we have failed to tackle the set of problems as Muslim women. As for the BBC spoof: it was wrongly timed, poorly executed, filled with cliches and patronising.
Furthermore, we believe that as Muslims we should condemn all such spoofs against Muslims and non-Muslims alike. 'Freedom of speech' should never be used as a tool to fan the flames of stereotype, prejudice or hate. Such spoofs will only re-emphasise the duality of West/East, Us/Muslims and will play into the hands of those who we all wish to criticise; namely, ISIS.
It may be more apt for the BBC to apply for a job with the ISIS propaganda operations and leave public service. Is that statement funny ? I will leave it for the BBC to judge.