Comments on: Driving Me Crazy: The BBC’s Muslim Driving School

By: Afzal

Afzal — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 17:01:35 +0000

I think the programme was very popular among some of the asian coomunity. I have had many phone calls from asian ladies asking for KKorsa Bibi’s contact number to book driving lessons. Perhaps you could publish her detail for the benefit of these people.

By: Ayaan Hassan

Ayaan Hassan — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:00:31 +0000

Hussain, I’m neither Arab nor Asian, and I do understand the demographics of British Muslims, but as a non-Asian British Muslim, I find the representation of all British Muslims as Asians personally damaging.

By: Hussain

Hussain — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 15:03:57 +0000

I am not sure what your objection is to Asian women being protrayed in the programme. If you do not object why do you think it is worth mentioning? It is a fact that the majority of British Muslims are South Asian. And the strongest Muslim demograpic is in the North of England and is South Asian?
Do you resent that? I am interested in whether you address the very strong racism in Arab culture against South Asians (Muslim or not). There are undertones of that in your article. Where does that racial dynamic fit into your de-constructive piece. You do realize that though you are accusing the BBC of being somewhat cornered by the ethincity of the programme makers (presumably white) your piece is likewise contextualized and frankly offensive to me in that sense.
I enjoyed the program. The women said what was on their mind, so what if it doesn’t fit with what you think they should say.

By: Karin

Karin — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 14:21:15 +0000

Couldn’t stand watching more than a few minutes myself, it looked like a fairly typical hum-drum human insterest documentary to me – no real depth or message and stereotypes are unfortunately abound in this genre whatever the topic is.

You can complain directly to the BBC, for more detail see http://www.bbc.co.uk/complaints/homepage/. Another route is to contact Ofcom, if you believe the program breaks the UK broadcasting code regulations under ‘harm and offence’, see http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consumer/2010/01/audience-complaints/, just be aware that such complaints are very rarely successful.

By: Asiah

Asiah — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 03:59:50 +0000

Mashallah good analysis.

I’m watching the third episode now. I have seen some of the other programs done by BBC and British networks on British Muslims, and I have liked them for the most part. But this one does seem to have an agenda. I mean even the whole topic? Everyone knows women are banned from driving in Saudi Arabia. But the fact is, it is such a little issue. I remember when that White House Rep went there and started talking to the women about driving and they chewed her out. She got owned by ladies in full niqaab and abaya.

But I do appreciate some of the stories, especially that of the girl taken to Pakistan to be married at 16, ending in divorce. Or that of Taslima, who is so spunky! Or even Aysha’s brave recovery from a life that was destroying her. But BBC has portrayed these brave and strong women as being victims of an oppressive religion which they are now just breaking free from. Ha! In the case of Aysha especially it is the other way around.

And while I feel it is important for women to drive, really, if their family is going to drive them everywhere, what is the point? I know so many people in major cities who never learn to drive because they can take public transport. How is that different?

And sure in Pakistan it is a different society. But there are tons of women who drive there and who are educated and do their own thing. It’s not a monolith!

And I love how you picked up on the series using the term Asian as interchangeable with Muslim.

I hope we never get to this state in the US. A program like this could never be made here. Sure there are women I have known who came here not knowing how to drive, but they learned pretty quick because otherwise their families would starve.

Ugh.

Great coverage tho MMW.

Salaams.

By: Sumera

Sumera — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 20:52:17 +0000

I really don’t like how the focus of the problem are these women who supposedly want to “break free” from the “authoritarian control” their men supposedly have over them, and become “independent” by learning how to drive.

The only one who is perhaps “real” is Humera, there isn’t much sugar and syrup they can drip her story in and so they dont bother. The rest however are a different story.

With regards to the women feeling nervous and not confident – usually when you are learning drive its normal to be apprehensive! And even moreso since the car isn’t yours, its a new experience and you want to do well. What has being Muslim or Asian specifically got to do with that, I have no idea.

By: Nimra

Nimra — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 11:01:48 +0000

salaams
i am new to this website but liked your critique analysis on this programme but what else do you or can we do to change protrayls in the programme?
do you as a group contact, lobby, complain to BBC or what is agenda or campaign with a group like yours
ws