Dispatches: Undercover Mosque

It's tough to criticise a programme like this without appearing to be taking the content personally. But then as someone who's been to more than one mosque (including the Central London Mosque featured in the programme) where none of these kind of things happen at all, I think that it's reasonable to take issue at how some of the issues were raised.

Well it was never going to be surprising. In fact, I'm pretty sure I've seen this before. Tonight we saw the same editing techniques, the same calmly stern narrator and same dramatic background music. Honestly, it reminded me of an episode of 24 (which is not surprising seeing as that show comes from the likes of Fox).

But it wasn't the content I had a problem with; no, it was more the presentation. It was pretty tabloid in my opinion. We had the headline snippets and sound bites - and I suspect that even the token liberals were quoted out of context at some point. Remember guys: Muslims are either extreme or not. There are none in between.

What about other mosques? You know, the ones that don't do anything like the ones shown in this programme? I realise that this documentary was about the intolerance preached but it would have been nice to have been given examples the opposite - even within these mosques themselves - as an appendix. For example, my mosque sends out Christmas cards during the festive season; such an attitude is probably as prolific as the described angry one. Thirty seconds is all that would be required to give balance.

But no. Apparently, programmes like these are created to start debates, and I'm sure the makers are sleeping well, knowing that they've furthered social discourse by presenting the issues in this way. It's just a shame it was so done so shallowly, since it's unlikely that a non-Muslim would be aware of context in which these things happen. I just seems that some things are deliberately left unsaid.

One To Watch: Dispatches: Undercover Mosque

8pm tonight, Channel 4

Another week and another "insightful" look at the dark underbelly of Islam UK. Whether this proves to be an accurate portrayal or blessing in disguise, Muslims can't really comment, respond or react unless they watch it.

Food: Colbeh

Here's a nice little Persian/Iranian place off Edgware Road. Simple, "intimate" food, Colbeh offers something quite different to the usual Indian.

The restaurant itself is tucked away and so seems to attract a quieter crowd - ideal for smaller groups where you want to talk as much as eat. Unfortunately(!) I wasn't around to pay so can't really tell you how much it cost, but I would pay around a tenner for a complete meal.

Film: The Last King of Scotland

Fact based flick covering some of the events occurring in Uganda under Idi Amin's regime. As an Asian I've kinda already heard about how he chucked out all Indians in the seventies forcing them to drop their belongings and come to the UK, but I wasn't really sure of anything else so this was a good story to hear.

I can't vouch for the accuracy of the film and I suspect some things may have been sexed up a bit for the big screen. But factual inaccuracies aside, I think it did a good job portraying the character of Amin to the audience. Of course that's not least because of the skill of the brilliant Forest Whitaker. And the rest of the cast were just as good.

Well filmed, well presented and well executed, even as a work of fiction this is well worth watching. Much recommended.

Little Mosque on the Prairie

The first episode of this widely publicised "Muslim sitcom" was released earlier this week, and I have to say I am relatively impressed.

I usually wouldn't give these deliberately Muslim things much leeway. They almost always get it wrong and do more harm than good. Apart from that, I wasn't really expecting to get much Canadian humour (if it at all exists, that is). It's safe to say that my expectations were low.

But as is usually the case I was too quick to judge this show. Little Mosque was actually pretty good. Sure, it's low budget and simply (but tidily) made, but it seems to know and embrace its shortcomings so these things don't matter much. Technically it's a bit under par with poor shooting and continuity, but unless you're a pedant (or at least more pedantic than I am) you won't care.

On the other hand, as a sitcom, it does brilliantly. The basis is strong, with a quirky balanced family in the centre surrounded by some more extreme (yet likeable) characters. There's only been one episode so far, but the whole premise of a Canadian born city Imam coming to a small town hold bags of promise. It manages to cram sunnis, shias, converts, secularists, traditionalists, liberals, progressives and bigots all in one place. It's pretty amazing in that way.

Comedy wise it's okay. This is no Friends, folks, but I have to admit that I laughed out loud more than once. My parents liked it too - it's very rare nowadays that we can watch the same thing let alone laugh at the same jokes. Genius.

But the best thing about this show is its humility. It's not self indulgent or blatantly out to prove anything, and it doesn't carry any baggage either. It is topical in places, sure, but it's the story and humour that the makers appear to be focussing on. And because of that, the whole thing seems much more approachable and easy to relate to.

It's also the first time I've actually seen a fictional character that I can use as an example of a model wife. Rayyan is hot, intelligent, a doctor, hot and prays too. She even wears a hijab if that's your thing. I'm sure we'll see her cooking and cleaning in a future episode eventually. And she's hot too - expect to see Sitara Hewitt as a Shak's Choice sometime in the future; you know, once I get over those moral obstacles currently blocking me from pinning up someone who happens to wear a hijab on screen (yes, yes, I know). She is hot though.

So yes, I like and not just because it could have been much worse, but more for what it eventually turned out to be. And I think every one of you should at least give it a go to see if you like it too.

New Music

One Race, One Tongue, One Blood - Kami K & Jeet

Technically this isn't very good. But it manages to sound amazing so I don't really care about that. Who knew we had so many MCs in our midst, eh?

New URL

For your ease and viewing pleasure, you can now access these pages via www.radioshak.co.uk. Don't say I never do anything for you guys.

Oh and regarding that other post, it seems that the old url is still redirecting back to this new one; in other words there should be no need for any of you to do anything. Disappointing for some, I know.

Request For Comment: Muslim Television

What's wrong with it?

Need some help with a project. What's wrong with the current media we have covering topics concerning Muslims and Islam?

Are they irrelevant? Missing the point? Not representative? Almost all television trying to discuss "real" Muslims faces criticism for doing exactly the opposite. Most Muslims I ask turn around and say: "well they didn't ask me".

Is it even possible? You can't make everyone happy all of the time. I guess the answer is to bring balance to the coverage. Is that happening? If not, where is the focus at the moment? Where should it be instead?

Generally these programmes are made by non-Muslims. Does this need to change? Should these programmes only be made by Muslims?

It's a broad topic, so sorry. I'm not interested in specific answers, but I do want to know what you guys reckon... Any help would be appreciated, so if you have any ideas either leave a comment or mail me directly.

The End Of Radio Shak

Well okay, not quite. It'll still be around, but you may find that you are no longer able to access this blog at this address. I say "may", because I'm not entirely sure what will happen when I press that button.

But here's the kicker - if these pages do disappear then, as usual, I won't be telling you how you can access the new pages. Call me crazy (many have and continue to do so), but I think that this will give you all a chance to clear any existing subscription you wouldn't want to renew, and me a chance to see who exactly can be bothered to come back and continue reading. Win-win, eh?

Anyway, this is only a heads up. I'm hoping that this post will propagate before anything drastic does happen.

Link Of The Day

Oh my. iPhone. I think I just wet myself. Possibly a bit pricey, but... oh my again.

I Love Jack

Yes, that's right: the seemingly invincible Jack Bauer is back, and with him the new season of 24. Quite possibly my most favourite show ever, if you're not watching then you really are missing out on something special.

Just when you think there's nothing else it can do, it serves up another right hook; it just keeps giving. This time, it's even politically relevant. Kinda.

I actually feel that I'm wasting time writing about it when I should be watching instead. But for now, I love Jack - possibly even more than his hot Arab CTU boss Nadia...

Video Of The Day

Fantastically hilarious and very well produced, it's The Twelve Days of Christmas:



It's funny 'cos it manages to play on common stereotypes without being crass.

Thanks to Os for the link!

Meeting For Marriage

A bunch of guys and I have been invited to dine with a similar number of girls whom we haven't met before. If that alone raised your eyebrows, then don't worry - I had a similar reaction.

Informal matrimonial events and meetings aren't anything new; in fact, they're probably older than the more recent versions of speed dating and the like. Nevertheless they can still be as clinical, prescribed and forced as the contemporary and more fashionable equivalents, and as such, are just as disquieting and nerve-racking for some too - most attendees are on edge before such an occasion and unintentionally end up bringing this baggage with them. I doubt anyone acts normal under these kinda circumstances. I know I don't.

But then why are we so apprehensive to the concept anyway? Is it about the (lack of) expectations? Sure, some people say that these things are all really just about meeting new people and networking and nothing more, but I think most would also admit that this is a big fat lie that they tell themselves in order to get through it. I think that on some level it's about the potential disappointment but also, paradoxically, more about something actually happening as well.

It doesn't have to be like this though, and a more mature person wouldn't prejudice such an opportunity in the way that I am obviously doing (and I'm sure some of you will be queuing up to tell me as much). But despite this I think that there are more people than not who have at least some trouble dealing with the meeting of potential partners in such an overt and blatant manner (some things never change: I also mentioned this here, way back when I first started writing this very blog).

If I was a betting man, I'd say that nothing (with respect to any long term relationship) will happen at this meeting. But there clearly is a chance and, just like the way The National Lottery keeps telling us, you have to be in it to win it. And it doesn't necessarily have to be about hooking up on this one single night either - these experiences tell you things about yourself that you might not have known; and like anything else it will probably help you grow and all that.

And, of course, even if it turns out that you don't fancy any of these particular attendees, you could find that some of them have much prettier friends or siblings that they could introduce you to. Just kidding guys, just kidding.

Link Of The Day

It's only a matter of time, girls. Just remember where you heard it first.

We've Gone Big Brother Big Time

So here I am blogging with E4 on in the background showing the live feed of the Big Brother house.

On waking up this morning, my parents and I had a discussion about the housemates and their latest going-ons.

I have that live feed thingy at work so I won't miss a minute there either.

Somebody help us please.

The Beginning of The End

So I just came back from a chill out session with some friends.

It was only half way through that I realised I was the oldest one there.

Video of the Day

Still-wriggling octopus legs? Yes please:



There is a shot of someone eating them too, but I'll let you find that yourselves if you're curious...

New Music

2 Step Bhangra - The Bilz

Funky and kinda different. And has a lot of hotties in the video. I like this, but might be slightly disappointed by the rest of the album.

Kasam Se - Partners In Rhyme

REMIXTASTIC! This is actually pretty atrocious in a muzak kinda way. Still it's fun while it lasts as you try and remember what the originals used to sound like. Would make great background party music actually. Maybe.

The Streets Of Bollywood 2 - Various

The second in this week's "let's remix and destroy classic Bollywood tracks" special, The Streets Of Bollywood 2 is not as striking as the first volume (possibly since almost half the tracks have been produced by Kami K). In fact, I've not heard anything I'd want to keep here, whereas I still got a few from last time. Disappointing.

One To Watch: BEST KIDS SHOW ON UNITY TV

4:30pm Sunday 7th January, Unity TV (Sky 825)

For those of you who missed it last time. Because you were saving lives or something, right?

Link of the Day

'The O.C.' axed after four seasons

Just goes to show how smart Mischa Barton is; even if she had stayed I don't think it would have lasted any longer.

But it's not surprising, and it's only left for me to say this: I told you so.

Shak's Choice: Shilpa Shetty

Well, it was kinda inevitable, right? The first Bollywood housemate, Shilpa Shetty:


For those who watched last night, didn't she do well? She looked good (although the sari might have been a bit over the top) and was well spoken and almost composed. I think she's more street than she appears and totally has potential to surprise us all.

Either that, or she's going to get mauled.

Link of the Day

Daughters linked to prostate risk

So it's now scientifically proven: having daughters is bad for you.

But then we all already knew that really, didn't we? Although I am left wondering exactly how many of that Israeli team of scientists are Asian...

One To Watch: Celebrity Big Brother

Celebrity Big Brother, 8pm Tonight, Channel 4

I never thought I'd ever be telling people to watch Big Brother, let alone look forward to watching it myself. But this is the live launch of this season's celebrity show (was Chantelle really last year?) and what makes this special is the apparent inclusion of Shilpa Shetty as one of the house mates. I need not say any more.

Bollywood meets Big Brother? Blimey. David Hasselhoff and H from steps are also contestants, if you're into that thing.

Nose Ettiquette

Is it appropriate to blow your nose violently in the restrooms while there are other people present?

What if you're in the middle of having a conversation with them at the time?

Victoria Update

So it seems some people (you know who you are) have demanded an update on Victoria. Well in all truthfulness, there's actually nothing to say: I hadn't seen her for months - she obviously either left her job or, more plausibly, changed her commute to avoid crossing the path of one particular gawker.

I say "hadn't" because, as some of you may have already guessed, we actually crossed paths again. I was running later than I usually do, which adds credibility to the "avoidance theory" above. And it seems that karma was on my side too - I was actually heading in her direction after leaving the station this morning (thank heavens for mothers wanting to return sale items to House of Fraser. I was even toying with the idea of asking her if she knew where the store was...). She obviously noticed this though; she jumped on that first bus almost a bit too quickly.

And yes, she was looking good, although I have now also noticed a ring. Oh no! Anyway, that's all for this time. You can now all go back to your copies of Heat in peace.

Back To Life, Back To Reality

It seems like an age ago that I last went to work. In reality, it's only been around ten days (including the weekends). But Christmas weekend, Eid and New Year's all made it seem much longer - and much in the way planets align so rarely I have a feeling that I'm not going to have another week as unique as this one any time soon. Work colleagues have been asking how my break was; I've told them that it may have been a bit too good.

Still, I thought that coming back to work would have hit me harder - after a few hours it hasn't been that bad. The New Year catching up was relatively painless, and I only had 75 emails to go through. I suspect I've been a bit lucky on that count.

But the past week has already started to fade. Sigh. I wonder: do weeks, such as the one I had, end for everyone? Is "going back to work" a universal inevitability? I'm just not totally sure that it has to be.

Snippet

Shak says (19:15):
    but the point stands
xxxx says (19:15):
    ...
Shak says (19:15):
    the only real reason anyone would need a partenter is for sex and kids
xxxx says (19:15):
    yeah but i dont want kids
    they make me feel sick
Shak says (19:15):
    lol
    wicked
    but i know what you mean
xxxx says (19:15):
    its like
xxxx says (19:16):
    why do u wanna worry about nappies
Shak says (19:16):
    yeh#
xxxx says (19:16):
    when u could be ddeciding wat to wear in the morning
Shak says (19:16):
    maybe its something that kicks in after you find a partner
xxxx says (19:16):
    doubt it
    i think if i wanted kids it shoulda kicked in by now
    do u want kids?>
Shak says (19:16):
    sometimes its about "creating something with the man you love" zzz
xxxx says (19:16):
    they're sooo annoying
Shak says (19:16):
    i dunno
xxxx says (19:17):
    oh my god
    ewww
Shak says (19:17):
    i dont mind

[...]

Shak says (19:17):
    but its only nice cos theyre not mine

[...]

xxxx says (19:17):
    yeah
    imagine that
    all the time
Shak says (19:17):
    exactly
xxxx says (19:17):
    having to entertain a child
Shak says (19:17):
    dont think i could hack i
xxxx says (19:17):
    24/7
Shak says (19:17):
    twhich is why i'd leave it to my wife and go party
xxxx says (19:17):
    no wonder there's an NSPCC
Shak says (19:18):
    plus i know my kids will just disappoint me
    by hooking up with some fluzy
xxxx says (19:18):
    lol
Shak says (19:18):
    or being stupid
xxxx says (19:18):
    and the chore of having to teach them values
Shak says (19:18):
    omg
    init
    i see the people who hang in shisha bars
Shak says (19:19):
    and think... oh man.. im supposed to want one of those?
xxxx says (19:19):
    lol
    hahaha

Film: Night at the Museum

Childish and shallow fantasy about a museum whose exhibits come to life at night. There isn't really much more to it than that, but it does set the stage for some rather cheap jokes and even cheesier scenes.

It has its moments, but isn't really something I can recommend going out of your way for. This is something you might waste a lazy Sunday watching in the background.

Food: Halaliano's

Despite going numerous times in the past, last night was the first time I actually had more than a milkshake to eat or drink. I still don't have a complete picture since we actually paid a square ten quid per head for a large pizza and milkshake. That in itself was pretty good value (the food was way too much for one person) and it's not like a place like this usually has a menu to choose from. Oh and everything is halal by the way.

Food and price aside, Halaliano's is a bit of dive, and I always say so when I've been invited to join friends there. Despite it's flaws (dark, dank, sleazy and smoky) it manages to set the stage for some nice enough times so it can't be that bad. As for the student riff raff types... Well let's just say they're both a curse and blessing and leave it at that. Ho hum.

So yeh, I guess it's growing on me, and I'm sure it will become a kind of pseudo hang-out eventually. Shame it has such a crap name though.

New Year's

2006 ended on a pretty high note for me - that dinner with university friends became dim sum today (yesterday?), after which I raced to have tea (or milk in my case) and cake with some family friends. But the highlight of the day had to be celebrating New Year's Eve with the school lot (and others) at Halaliano's.

I'm not a fan of Halaliano's. It's smoky, dark and sleazy and basically somewhere people (usually students) go to legitimise what others just stick to regular bars to do. But despite that, I've had a few genuinely good times there, mostly 'cos of the company I was with, but also because it's nice not to have to worry about sitting on somebody's spilt beer or have drunk ladies continually hit on you. Phnaar.

But anyway, now that the Halaliano rant is out of the way, let me tell you about New Year's. I believe it had originally been organised for 20-25 people but it had hit around double that on the day. It was a Muslim affair, and as is always expected with these kind of numbers the evening started out with the girls and boys on opposite ends of the room talking within themselves while eating their pizzas. It was pretty amusing in a "some things never change" kinda way. We even had some minor party injuries: shisha burns abound, and one dufus even slipped on the stairs. It's ok though - he only went away with a bruised wrist and ego.

Many people left before the ball even dropped - curfews kicked in for some, while others decided to ditch Halaliano's for the fireworks being held at the Victoria Embankment. To be honest, the whole thing was looking more and more like just another dinner party.

But, ironically, it was as the group became smaller and so more intimate, that the New Year's vibe also kicked in. The conversation (not without the inevitable Talk About Marriage; oh and by the way, we're all getting married this year) and personal jokes-cum-insults began to flow without effort - we even played a passable excuse for Truth or Dare at one point.

So yes. It was probably the two hours after midnight rather than the four before that I enjoyed the most, but the night as a whole flew by in the way good times usually do. My only real disappointment was how early the last of us eventually packed it all in - I'm no night owl but I a part of me wanted to party till dawn. Nevertheless it made a brilliant change to my usual New Year's Eve plans (which usually consist of being in bed by 12:15am), and definitely paves the way for future events.

Can't wait. Only 365 days left till the next one, eh?