Salaamz,

everyone seems to be going on and on abt Naseema's great big sin in sleeping with her bf and not wearing the bloody headscarf. What abt Sohail's sin in drinking and sleeping with a non Muslim woman? What abt his confessions to not being a virgin? Most of all, what really got my goat was the racism that you will not find when someone is inhterested in sitting in a Muslim talk like when Jude wanted to view that Muslim video. You will not find Muslim racism, at least not in the UK so that definately did not tally as I am a mixed raced Muslims and most of the Muslims I know are in mixed race relationships.

All in all it was a good series, really watchable but I think you conservative lot need to focus on the sins of others instead of just picking on the girl. Her best mate committed suicide and that's a massive sin in Islam too...but then again, so is suicide bombing.

Don't bother quoting texts and hadiths to me btw, I can do my own research on my own just fine abt covering the face, hair, wrists, collarbone...whatever.

Britz did quite a good job. Remember it is fiction and a drama. I feel that such a programme should give perspective and make the viewer think on possibilities based on what was viewed, not to take what was viewed as life itself.

Suicide bomber are two words. We sometimes concentrate on the 'bomber' and the aggression & damage done. But there is the 'suicide' and the feelings such as loss of empowerment and meaning of life that drives people to act in that way. So it was interesting to see Naseema's gradual degeneration from student activist, then frustration of the brick wall of the legal system then arriving at 'no choice decision' to do what she did. Of course she had choices but, as with her best friend's suicide, it shows what people can do when they feel choices have been taken from them.

It was also brave to portray Naseema as an overly integrated Muslim. Imran Ali (posted 1/11/07, 10:44) should not be surprised to know that a significant number of female Asian students get up to (or have got up at some time or the other) to various things that would make dad mad, including dressing 'inappropriately', clubbing and partying and, where they dare, secretly dating men outside of their culture. (For the latter I know of at least five females) It is part of finding who they are as individuals and is a price of integration.

Hello all. Great website btw, very interesting to hear all these views. So, on the subject of Britz: I saw this show last night on TV and am a bit confused, hoping someone can help. The control order placed on Nas's friend seemed extreme and unrealistic to me. It was, I think, for possession of 6 packs of curry powder, and also due to the fact that her brother is a suspected 'terrorist' - correct so far? But then i thought that the measures placed on her were only placed on actual people suspected formally of terrorism, and quite big fish at that - like for instance Joseph Terrence Thomas whose case surely is a much bigger deal than a student handing out leaflets at college...?? Why was she dragged in to such an extreme measure? For me, this question kinda invalidated the argument of the show... But then maybe I've got it wrong and this kinda thing happens more than is reported in the news?? Be grateful if anyone knows about this and can help. Best wishes.

dis was agud programe but got me pised at tymes like dem talks wer it shows sum terrorists talkin about jihad dat shit never happens i fink they jus want all da wyt mans 2 fink dats wah happens in mosques. they jus wanna widen da gap dats allready between these comunities derz alredy fukin tension wah da fak they think this programme is ganna du help solve da problem helllll no y dont any of these muverfucers be a partof the movement, but i dont blame any of dese faggits coz wyt peopleaint interested in sein muslims as gud people its more interestin news to wach muslims plannin murders nd all dat fake shit 4 example the londan bomin conspiracy dat wazent even dun by muslims which was proven coz 1 of da bomers da street he grew up on people never new this person or sawhim so wat da fuc duz dat shite tell u mans dat obviuoly its all a set up but its all gud coz dese trublemakers r jus gana make da nex life der hell.

Why does Pakistan always have to be potrayed as a backward and extremist country? Fine, we've had some major screw-ups in terms of our politicians and their policies, but lets' not send out the image to the entire bloody world that pakistanis are always ready to blow themselves up.

The family they showed in the show came from Rawalpindi and from a rather poor background from the looks of it. I am glad the producer was realistic in this context. Why? because 99% of the Pakistanis in the UK do come from small villages and unpriviliged backgrounds. Sorry to say but yes, it is the majority of these people who are very much attached to their traditional practices, even if they are residing in the UK now. Why can't they find a balance between the Western life and the culture they have from back home?

Vicious circle - key word.

What British folks will find in extreme rare scenarios are Pakistanis with moderate views on western world. Who are these Pakistanis? Well, they are the majority in Pakistan who come from 'balanced' families, working class, educated and working hard to make a living. You will find their children studying in universities and working in UK as engineers, doctors and lawyers. Speak to them and you will find that they are also Pakistanis, are friendly, will hang out with you just like other 'normal' people and just want to work and LIVE. Sadly enough, its guys and girls like these who get the shit for the actions of someone else.

The small number of British folks who are still stuck in the dark ages, obviously need to open up a little bit themselves and accept that the WORLD is now an international place and a little more acceptance is a good idea. This works both ways by the way, our good people from Pakistan, new or old, need to open themselves too and realise its good to be friendly and normal in the socities you live in. The average british person you run into everyday is not hating you and isnt in favour of the war on terror. Majority is just like you, making a living, feeding their kids.

Key word : give respect, get respect.

One last thing. Islam does not advocate killing and terrorism. Because everything you say or write can be interpreted in a million ways, the Koran has been interpreted according to people's own needs and they have decided to push their views onto others (obviously the less educated, the more easily influenced). Anyone who is intelligent and has some sense will pick up the Koran himself and have a read and know what I am talking about.

Brtiz was very interesting and extrememly moving in places. If, however, I believed it was plausible, I would be very worried indeed! I don't belive that someone can make the leap from a Western Muslim woman who is angry about anti-terrorism laws, to a suicide bomber, so quickly or simplistically. I only hope that there weren't some stupid people out there watching it and thinking 'This could easily happen, so we must fear Muslims' .

WELL SO MUCH FOR SHOWIN NASIMA AS A DERANGED MUSLIM! YES I CAN SEE SHE DID IT TO MAKE HER STAND AGAINST THE INJUSTICE THAT WE AS MUSLIMS DO FACE. HOWEVER THERE IS NO NEED TO SEE HER AS A TRUE MUSLIM AS SHE WAS TOTALLY NOT A RELIGION-ABIDING GIRL! I FEEL THAT SHOWING HER ACTUALLY SLEEPING WITH HER BOYFRIEND CAN ACTUALLY CAUSE MORE HARM THAN GOOD. AS A MUSLIM GIRL MYSELF I FIND IT HARD AT TYMS TO MAKE MY PARENTS UNDERSTAND THE WORK RELATED ACTIVITIES THAT WE HAVE TO DO -ESPECIALLY IN THE EVENINGS AS ASIAN PARENTS ALWAYS HAVE IT IN THEIR HEAD THAT THEIR DAUGHTERS CAN EASILY BE MIS-LED DUE TO THE SOCIETY WE LIVE IN. SO WHEN NASIMA WAS BUSY WITH HER BOYF IN THE DRAMA SHE WAS NOT PORTRAYING A MUSLIM GIRL WHO TAKES HER RELIGION SERIOUSLY - NO SEX B4 MARRIAGE?? THAT WENT STRAIGHT OUT THE WINDOW. WHEREAS ON THE CONTRARY HER FRIEND COMMITED SUICIDE DUE TO WHAT HAPPEND WHEN SHE WAS ARRESTED.

ACTUALLY SHOWS WHAT PEOPLE THINK OF US DONT IT REALLY THAT WE ACT LIKE WE MUSLIMS BUT WE DONT RESPECT OUR RELIGION AT ALL!!

O WELL THATS OUR LIFE

I found this programme absloutely brilliant!!! Very gripping indeed, but of course it wasn't without flaws. The director should have done his homework a bit more thoroughly. Okay so Nasima's motivation for becoming a suicide bomber was clearly not religious, but the trainig camp in Pakistan was doing this for "jihad reasons" and "in the name of Allah" (complete crap in my opinion). Then how was something as basic as this overlooked - the men and women should not have been praying together!! It basic islamic practise that men and women do not stand next to each other when praying.

It's not true that Islam does not condemn what Naseema does in the program. The Prophet forbade the killing of women, children and any non-combatants in a war, this is expressed clearly in the hadith recorded by Abu Dawaud. So people should get some facts straight before making ridiculous remarks about Islam, and they should perhaps have better sources than a 'Muslim boyfriend'.

I found the program interesting, as it showed that the only reason Naseema did what she did was political and not religous, and like already mentioned she was not particularily religious and broke countless laws. It also portrayed everyone in a bad light; the police, the law, the Muslims, the Pakistanis etc. Thought it was quite depressing really.

Terry S...you have obviously not been to these so-called '3rd world corrupt india/pakistan' because it is actually very nice in both countries.

Also maybe you need to broaden your friend cicle as you said that all Muslims you know (and you know a lot) drink booze or have done so at some time. This is a ridiculous generalisation.

Your comments are of course valid, yet totally absurd.

[This post has been moderated to remove personal abuse]

Review of Britz here

http://organizedrage.blogspot.com/2007/11/reviewbritz-compassionate-and.html

Britz must be applauded. It gives two opposing reactions to the political realities dominating society and, in particular, sections of society. The characters speak for themselves. The message of misinformation the propagandists of radical Islam use to exploit and direct Muslim youth according to their own agendas is vividly brought to the fore. The danger of over-reactive and hysterical legislation is clearly demonstrated. (Message of misinformation did I hear you say? Hey, yes, what are they talking about? Iraq, Afghanistan, worldwide, it is Muslims slaughtering and killing Muslims. Shi`ah killing Sunni, Sunni killing Shi`ah, Al-Qaeda fomenting civil strife in Iraq for its own ends, Iran interfering, playing ‘The Great Game’ to extend its sphere of influence, a resurgent Taliban killing, brutalising like a Mafia to enforce its support base, backed by a rogue Pakistan secret service …)

As someone who lived through the radical movements of the 60’s, I can see such similarities in the radicalisation of the youth of that time to the radicalisation of the youth of this. The ‘rent-a-crowd’ demonstrators, the press called us. I vividly remember a young Maoist ascending scaffolding in Grosvenor Square during an anti-Viet Nam war demo and unfurling the Chinese flag! The difference is that then it was the radicalism of the political Left; now, it is the radicalism of the religious Right.

Then, it was the politicos picking over the bones of a flawed and redundant Marxism. Now, it is scholars picking over the bones of the Holy Qur'an. These ‘Scholars’ are so skilled and adept at this art of examining the chapter and verse for loopholes, they would do well for themselves to follow a more lucrative occupation, perhaps, and join the honourable profession of lawyers. No-one much cares for lawyers, which makes these scholars a thousand times worse. Lawyers, of course, pick over the bones of the laws of mankind; these scholars are more impudent and seek to pick over the bones of the laws of an Almighty God!

I happened to come across the Britza Drama by the time where the friend was being cleansed for burial. I didn't get to understand exactly what caused Nas to commit suicide. But yes i do think at times in real life sometimes we get upset and angry at the world and we either harm ourselves or others for pay back. I guess she felt isolated and very angry and that could have been what provoked her into being a suicide bomber. I am Catholic, but i view myself as child of God, not belonging to one religion. At the end of the day we are his children and will be judged under the same ruling. So if people want to inter marry they should be free to make those choices as we are all human beings just different lovely shades and all beautiful. Blacks or dark skinned people are mostly despised due to slavery and apartheid days. But it's time to end all that and for people to unite and become one.

For a first, the director could have actually filmed the part about Rawalpindi, Pakistan in Pakistan rather than India. Seemed absolutely ridiculous.....

imran ali i think you have miss understood her fight was not motivated by religion it was society and the way she and her friend were treated(her mate getting raped in prision,n how she got locked up under the teorrist act for no reason),I because because the guy in the car said to her (when he dropped her off to the train station ) he goes somthing like "You will be sitting at the right hand of God'" and she goes "'that's not why I'm doing it" and the religion was an avenue of having a voice as she said in that meeting "cant we do it politically and voice our views that way?" (somthing like that) dont get me wrong there tho

she was already domostrating and had views agains loads of things like that domostration she done in the 1st part against student debt etc

I didnt like the way the guy went all out againt his parents beliefs and culture, ok he didnt want to be a muslim-people have choices- thus he can drink n sleep with his co-worker but it just seemed like he was completely going away from it which i think he should of been proud of being pakistani and ok you dont like some of there views but no getting away from it how bad/harsh it is or not he is brown and will always be seen as an asian by other people i duno i didnt like it > im an british pakistani, i would say more british born n bred here this is my home,life everything i am is here BUT there is no way of getting away from it i am still pakistani my parents are pakistani i speak urdu(not so good) eat the food follow some of the customs etc and the racism I face(unfortunally it dose happen but luckly not alot) like being called paki etc dose not help and makes you think what am i> not really british as im brown and get racist abusr and not really accepted and fit-in when i go pakistan

Very scary how quick and easy people can be lead but in hard times people are lose or confised and look for things which comfort them and thats what most probally made sence to them from all the stuff they told them. Like when her mate commited suicde and she got locked up she must of been very low and really hated the politicaians/society/life (as she said its not the police who set the laws they just inforce them) and prob wanted to get revenge for her mate's death

rachel please do let us now how you get on will be very intresting and glad you have an open view and are willing to try

Yes it is very true alot of the older lot are not intergrading well i personaly think its because they dont really know how to and might be scared of it like only know what they have learned when they lived in there own counterys and feel safer doing things there own way and with there own people,maybe they have tried and had a bad experiance or have heard of what happened to other people/saw on tv thus not learning or adapting to the british way as they watch asian tv and shop in asian grocery shops so some dont need to learn to speak english so only really learn basic english which then makes it even harder to intergrate

easy to see how the british and american could be targeting muslims and esp with bush's latest speach(saw it on bbc24 earlier today) it it is just getting worse and then the middleeast war going on is making it even worse and it is very scary and I just pray it dont result in world war 3 - I hear there could be larger forces in play here such as free masons / illuminati (i dont really know much about these jus quick read online) but this is really getting worrying and making everyones lifes worse off - what about the famailys of people who die >> what about the famailys of the guy who blows them selfs up they have lost a daughter or son and it will hurt enough with out the way people will look at them from then on, making there life's hell

sorry for the lost post hope i havent offended anyone

i think this programme was great but some of the parts are just not what muslims would do but overall i enjoyed it and its such heart gripping story keep it up!!!

hello there wel saw he programe yesterday and i was in tears at the end of it...

but i think it was abit over the top as you jus wouldnt do som stuff that were mentioned but over all it was wikied!

Instilling fear in the hearts of people at a time of tension between communities will contribute to further fragmentation of our society. It is inappropriate and insensitive to air such fear mongering on national television. It can only breed mistrust and hate. Moreover it is a wholly inaccurate representation of muslims and it is contrary to mainstream Islamic values.

I don't think Nas was fighting in the name of allah, in fact she even says she's not and her motivations were more to do with the death of her friend and surrounding circumstances. The point I think was that muslims feel so isolated, threatened and at despair that you feel a sense of "what can I really do?"

No wonder muslims in particular feel threatened, I would! The director was merely giving an insight into the reasons for suicide bombers. But I do feel that the jump to martydom was rather fast and did not give more. In that instance I do not think it was sucessful, but overall very thought provoking and well worth watching. It also gives people an insight in the Terrorism Act which in itself goes against all the fundamental elements of a free and just society, and is very scary to me. I think we are heading for a state controlled society (if not already) on the back of the terrorist threat, which I feel is only exaggerated by our involvement in the middle east. Why were similar measures not brought in when the IRA was bombing us?

I think this programme was thought provoking - it was a little bit artificial because we didn't really get into the midset of the female lead throughout it there was an air of uncertainty in her character. However as a first off drama looking at young Muslims in Britain and how easily they can be swayed towards terrrorism it was good as it will no doubt create further debate.

I think this programme was thought provoking - it was a little bit artificial because we didn’t really get into the mindset of the female lead throughout it there was an air of uncertainty in her character. However as a first off drama looking at young Muslims in Britain and how easily they can be swayed towards terrrorism it was good as it will no doubt create further debate.

i watched both episodes twice just so i fully grasped the understanding of the drama, firstly i'm asian and totally give full credit to the drama for showing the insite of arranged wedding and how asians are forced into marriage. i can understand the 'oldies' trying to keep to tradition but...those times have come and gone. Every muslim i know.... and i know allot drinks booze or has done so some time in there life, it was good of them to show sohail drinking in the drama...good one... but finally i would like to quote sohails saying... ' if you dont like it here f#@K of back to pakistan"...., as sohail quoted "i owe alot to britain" for taking in my parents when they moved out of the 3rd world corrupt india/pakistan so if your not happy in the UK go back Home see how nice it is there!!!

peace!

[...] Top Posts Should Britz be condemned or commended?Is Britain doomed?Paul Gilroy and Black BritzThe complexity of e-votingSpot on Guardian letter on [...]

I totally agree with Usman's last point. I also believe religious leaders all over are responsible for leading people's interpretations of religeous books. Many people are not strong minded enough to interpret religious books for themselves and are therefore influenced by their leaders. In this day and age, the Bible, The Koran etc should be guides to moral and harmonious living not dictating texts which restrict thought and opinion. Political and religious leaders need to take more responsibility for their actions and think about what they ultimately want - do they want harmony or do they want continuous killing and hate. And that goes for the rest of us as well. Suicide bombing and wars can only result in more of the same.

Britz was an intriguing but deeply flawed programme. The basic premise that one family would produce an MI5 agent and a suicide bomber is so far fetched to be almost laughable. On the plus side it did show bigotry and extremism on both sides, i.e. the BNP, racist cops and the intolerance and a propensity to violence among the islamic extremists. It also laid bare the extremely hard anti-terror laws which have understandably alienated a number of British muslims. I thinks the programme was too sensationalist and, in the wrong hands, could lead to greater misunderstanding on both sides. Ultimately, it was very pessimistic and depressing. For a more balanced view on the subject I would recommend reading Ed Husain's 'The Islamist' which is far more realistic and cautiously optimistic.

Tremendous television.

To me it gave an insight into a World that I would never encounter. (Being a white Brit).

I dont know how we will neutralise the current intollerances from across both sides of the racial divide, but this programme certainly gives a fresh dynamic to any thinking person.

Open up your minds EVERBODY!

In response to Kez, Britz is a drama not a documentary. The point was to dramatise a point not to show a general overview of a community. I can see that you were watching it looking at the detail of the brother and sisters lives and assessing whether they were realistic, but if you read all the views above, you'll see that most people assumed that the characters were a bit stereotypical to get the point across. You have to dramatise a situation to make it compelling. And as a white athiest, I would not be so narrowminded as to assume that these characters were realistic of most 'Pakistanis' and in fact for me, one of things I came away thinking more about was how Muslim women wearing traditional dress might be treated badly in the Uk. I dont think for a second all Pakistani's behave and live like the ones in the drama.

I really enjoyed Britz, despite the instances of suspended belief already mentioned re:Nasima's "jump" to extremism in Pakistan.

That the Home Office condemned 'Britz" does not surprise me. I am not Muslim, but if i was, the intoduction of horrific new laws would make me feel under attack , and the published statistics at the end of the 2nd episode speak for themselves.

I do not however agree with one muslim critic that it reinforced a negative stereotype. in fact, one of the most poignant moments for me was when the "recruiter" reminded Nas that "a million marched and still the government attacked Iraq". this remark makes me empathise with the oppression many Muslims feel. I did not march, but my heart was with those who did, and I feel a deep sense of frustration and betrayal that "our" government chose to ignore the will and wisdom of the people it is supposed to be serving. Why do we not learn the lesson of history?

And just as extremists are accused by true Muslims as twisitng scripture for their own ends, so those who led this stupid war used "Christian" ideals to support their motives, which look increasingly like supporting the petro-chemical and arms industries. I squirm just to recall some of blair's "divine" justifications...actually, in total denial of Scripture! Criminal hypocrisy, I call it.

So, Britz did a fine job IMO of highlighting important issues, without demonising anyone. And thought - provoking too! just look at all the passionate posts!!

In response to Jat K's post, on November 2nd, 2007 at 10:24 am: 'Why were similar measures not brought in when the IRA was bombing us?', regarding the powers to detain terrorism suspects given to the Home Office under the Terrorism Acts of 2005.

From 1971 - 1975 internment was a tool used against people suspected to be members of the IRA or Provisional IRA in Northern Ireland. Suspects who were arrested under the new law, and who were not charged or released within 48 hours, would be taken to reception areas (ie prisons) where they would be held indefinitely without trial.

They would have a right to appeal to an advisory council - which was yet to be set up when internment began in 1971. For more information on this, just Google 'IRA internment'.

There are clearly direct parallels with the Terrorism Acts and control orders that were central to the plot of Britz. Internment solved nothing, and the years during and after internment were marked by far higher levels of terrorism than the years before. I would imagine that the Terrorism Acts of 2005 and control orders will have a similar result.

To xyz, good point and in general i totally agree with your view - it's a really important subject and not done justice by the programme maker/s. Perhaps it would be better if written by someone in the Muslim community, as Robert Warburton says above.

The best TV i have seen in ages...!!!! The way the story develops in the view of the brother and sister is class.... However, it does show the reality of things in Britain.... Some of the laws as outlined in the program does reflect the way that Muslim people feel about it... targeted to the Muslim community... If these laws were sent down to disarm and disrupt terrorist working in the UK.... not to disrupt the ordinary lives of Muslims who are living their lives.... then the government will have to show that these laws are not passed down in order to restrain ordinary Muslim but to restrain people, not just Muslims, that take part in terrorist activity such as the IRA or animal right activist. To me personally laws are needed in order to combat terrorism but these laws have to be shown to work well with the ordinary Muslims, and gain their faith in the laws are there not just to protect non-Muslims but also Muslims who are against any such terrorist acts that will hurt or even kill ordinary members of public.

After watching Britz I can sympathise how British Muslims may feel and would expect to feel differently if I were to choose to live in a Muslim country. Having said that I do believe that and have seen evidence locally that some British Muslims do not treat or feel that this is their homeland so therefore do not have to abide by the laws of the land. Having grown up in Northern Ireland I am used to conflict and I just hope that in time we can all get on as Protestant and Catholics do over there. We all have different ideas about religion and should respect different points of view and not use violence and terror just because we all dont agree.

The whole point of this programme was to watch both episodes to get both points of view. Having done this I'm blown away by the effect this programme has had on me. Yes initially I thought the characters and situations were slightly stereotypical, but ultimately this points made were really shocking and thought-provoking. Its made me think that neither side are 'right' but there are a lot of wrong things going on on both sides of the fence. It really shouldnt be about religion but about people. If Britz encouraged people to think about both sides then its done its job.

I agree with Rachael, i thought this was a great programme. As a muslim I was interested to see how we would be portrayed and it was refreshing to see Sohail shown in a positive light. It also points out that its not Islam that pushes poeple to carry out these horrific acts but injustices aswell as other factors which takes people down this destructive path. I absolutley condemn suicide bombers and believe they are not even muslims, as they go against Islamic teachings. In response to a comment by Imran Ali above, she didnt kill due to religious reasons, she only sought help from fundamentalist to get the means to kill, her reasons to kill has nothing to due with Islam. She is actually very unislamic, due to having sexual relations with her b/f, she was very westernised as much as an english person, listened to english music, only wore tradtional clothes and headscarf infront of family as a mark of respect, but lived a different life with her friends etc. She left her b/f to get revenge for her friend, she had made her mind up the only way was to proke her father to sending her back home so she could meet the right people who would train her. She seemed to have lost her will to live and this was only way forward.. which meant her losing her family too and love of her life. I think alot of people have not thought hard about Nasima's character and what triggered off her mind change. IT WAS NOT ISLAM>>> IT WAS THE LOSS OF HER FRIEND AND THE INJUSTICES SHE ENCOUNTERED WHICH LED HER TO KILL!!!

Anyways thats my views and i thought it was brilliant....

This programme has just built in to the minds of the british community that the muslim pregnant women may as well be suicide bombers. It has clearly and deeply jeopardised the lives of many young pregnant muslim women. They've attacked the men, now they're hitting on the women, who is left? the children??

I thought this was brilliant for it presented the facts about our society today. The British do alienate other races and this is wrong, and this also works both ways (muslim cousins beatign up Jade). But for me the most important message to take from this is to people in Britain to wake up and see the facts; we are living in totalitarian state with our personal liberties being taken from us right under our noses. Its time we wave good bye to our dear government before its too late and act to ensure that we have a real democracy here in the first place; until then I'm forced to conclude that our governent is a hypocritical organisation who knows next to nothing about real democracy.

i tink this programme was very good and gripping! it shows us that every story has two sides to it! I hope there will be plenty of programmes like this on telly!

On a personal level, i dont see how any terrorists can say that they kill in the name of God. KILLING IS NOT ALLOWED IN ANY RELIGION! How can killing someone be justified??????? I am a Muslim and i have been taught that we should try not to harm others in any possible way, never mind taking someones life!

Also, Nasima became a suicide bomber cuz of what happened to her friend- but how is she proving a point by killing all those innocents?? Would her friend have been happy with that? I know there are some racist people (inc. polices) and i also knw that the law's really harsh but is terrorism the only answer!!!!

i also want2 agree with rah1la, lifes like that for us unfortunaltey!!

I think people are misunderstanding Nasima's intention - she wasn't particularly religious. She slept with men and she did other things. But what motivated her was injustice - in society. After seeing her friend being arrested for just buying pepper, the racism (ham sandwich) in the police station, what they'd done to her friend (violently handled her so that her hymen broke), the ridiculous terror laws and curfew, and finally her friend's suicide, I think had seen enough.

I'm not muslim but I know a lot about the Muslim community, and whilst I don't think it was a very accurate depiction, it was still good. The main thing is that it was a drama - so its bound to be a bit unbelievable. But its main point was portrayed brilliantly - that every story does have two sides, and that Muslims are being targetted. I still dont sympathise with a suicide bomber (nor do I think the director wanted that) but what I now understand is that what we are doing to Muslims is unfair.

Apart from the final speech (you're not innocent) which needed to be repositioned, I think it was brilliant. A touching, evoking drama.

Something not yet mentioned. While Nas was deliberating with her hosts in the training camp about whether she would go ahead or not, she was happy to let a female of similar appearance be burned to death with her jewellery on to prevent further searches for her? Just one of many unbelievable aspects...I don't think this was good enough given the importance of the subject.

i think this programme was absolutely brilliant, gave 2 different points of view and i think it will help a lot of people understand about Islam. Islam does not teach these things and nor does it condemn them. I'm not a muslim myself but am in a relationship with a muslim man and spend 90% of my time with muslim people and they are the kindest people you could ever wish to meet. the only problem is the older generation seem afraid to integrate, its sad that we all cant get along. i can see why Muslims think that the british and americans are just out to target them and that is probably the truth but terrorism shouldnt be the way to fight back. just to prove a point iam going to do what Naseema did and wear a hijab for a day, will be interesting to see how different i get treated. will let you know how i get on! x x

Amazing piece of work. Absolutley heart wrenching and thought provoking.

Although the characters themselves lack the depth which real people have then surely it stimulates debate and provides insight into an emerging community of British people. More input required from second generation Asian Brits with a bent to drama and writing.

Sorry, 'Terrorism Acts' should be 'Prevention of Terrorism Act'.

it was indeed a crap show which was nothing but a cheap attempt to glorify people who blow themselves up for a "cause" so to speak... all this hullabaloo created by muslims about the USUK govts targetting them is ridiculous..then how do u expect the govt to deal with terrorism...and even educated muslims cant deny the fact that it is muslims in the present world, who are more vulnerable in getting brainwashed by extremist organizations like alqaeda and killing scores of innocent people...the only way one can prevent further attacks is by making islamic leaders come out to the fore ,vilify the terrorists and castigate them openly in all forms of media to prevent ppl from being neo-terrorists and this is what we never see..instead all what we usually hear from them is islam preaches this and islam preaches that...everyone knows that no religion grants one a right to kill innocent ppl..it is high time that the religious higher ups must make the message clear that terrorism and suicide bombings is evil and it is not going to do anybody any good.

I would argue that Britz is flawed in 2 main ways (1) its research - see my post at 11.29 and (2) its characters.

Concerning my latter point, for example, it seems really strange to me that Nas, albeit disaffected, vulnerable and confused, would want to blow up all those people and herself to honour a community which has clearly contributed to her disaffection, i.e.: her father punching her in the face and her husband-to-be also punching her and killing (or so she thinks) the non-Muslim man she says she truly loves....

For me, these flaws undermine the film's ability to help viewers gain an understanding of what makes Nas, or indeed anyone, a suicide bomber.

I think this program is using reverse psychology to engender a hatred of the Muslim. I had never thought of Channel 4 as a 5th column.

I thought Britz was a fantastic and timely piece of work which was ruined in the closing scene by Nasima’s self-righteous rant: "You are not innocent, OK? As long as you keep electing this government . . . as long as you sit on your hands while they pass these laws which you know are wrong, you are not innocent!"

It disgusted me to threatened in my own home. To have this mixed up girl telling me that men, women and children will continue to be “justifiably” murdered while we continue to vote Labour? I’m sorry channel 4, I’m all for freedom of speech but I feel this overstepped the mark.

It would be unfair to comment until I have seen the whole thing but the message so far is:

The only good Muslim is a self-loathing Uncle Tom and the rest are either bigoted Pakis or suicide bombing fanatics!

lol ok.. heres how I see it as a second generation muslim. Yeah I agree 100% that this drama was religiously incorrect... however the moral was that every story has two sides.. nomatter how closed you think it is.

But anyhows.. i'm sure you've all made your own minds up... but heres something I'd like to add... hopefully it'll offer someone a bit more clarity...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3P12aqVeZkQ

Zak.

Firstly, yes its quite obvious Muslims have been singled out by the Law, and its caused far my Harm than good (If there is any good).

Secondly, i found it absurd how a Muslim woman, Sleeping with men out of marriage, can all of a sudden take the step to suicide bombing.

I must say thought as the second episode dragged on, it became more of a fairly tale, and failed to fully grasp the fact Muslims were feeling completely alienated by the new "Laws".

Some of the Things were just ridiculous. The "Terrorist Training Camp" Had to be the most Bizzare and hilarious thing i have ever seen. It became more of a James Bond movie