BBC accused of ‘Islamist propaganda' for calling Muslim converts ‘reverts'
The BBC has been accused of parroting 'Islamist propaganda' after describing Muslim converts as 'reverts'.
The controversial term was used throughout an article about Eid – the holiday that marks the end of Ramadan – published by BBC News on Friday.
The term 'revert' is used by some to back claims that Muslim converts are merely returning to the faith all humans are born into before being corrupted by Christianity, other religions or atheism.
But it is not used by all Muslims and is especially associated with Islamist fundamentalism.
Tom Tugendhat, the Conservative MP and former security minister, said the use of the term was 'sectarianism' that had 'no place on the BBC'.
'Calling converts 'reverts' is ideology, not fact,' he said. 'It's claiming we're all 'originally' Muslim and those who convert are rediscovering their faith. That's Islamist propaganda and has no place on the BBC.'
Mr Tugendhat, who has a master's degree in Islamic studies from the University of Cambridge, added: 'Mainstream Islam is clear on conversion as a route to salvation in keeping with other faiths. This is not the same.
'I don't object to theological language, I object to the BBC claiming it is the appropriate term.'
The article was edited on Saturday to remove all uses of the term 'revert' apart from in quotes and the headline.
It was then edited for a second time later that day to change 'reverts' to 'converts' in the headline and to add an explanation of the term after an interviewee was quoted using it.
The explanation reads: 'Some Muslims refer to 'revert' when talking about people who have converted to the Muslim faith. This is based on the belief that everyone is born as a Muslim and those who embrace Islam are returning to their 'natural state'.'
The piece reported that converts to Islam can feel isolated and lonely during Ramadan and Eid, when Muslims often gather together with their relatives.
It highlighted the work of the New Muslim Circle charity, based in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, which teaches 'reverts' how to pray and organises get-togethers.
'Divisive term most Muslims would not use'
Dr Taj Hargey, of the Oxford Institute for British Islam, said the term 'should never be used'.
'It is used by Islamic fundamentalists in their propaganda that everyone is born Muslim,' he said. 'It is utter tosh and the correct term to use is 'convert'.
'It is concerning that the BBC has chosen to use this divisive term that most Muslims would not use, only extremists and supremacists.'
Dr Paul Stott, head of security and extremism at the Policy Exchange think tank, said: 'Why is the national broadcaster using such a loaded term without quote, qualification or detailed explanation?
'The position that Islam is the natural state of all humans, and that converts to the faith are reverting to it, may be something some or even most Muslims accept. But believers in other faiths do not think that. Nor do atheists. So why is the BBC giving it currency?'
Steve Baker, the former Conservative MP, said: 'This kind of excess does Muslims a grave disservice and surely is among the reasons a worrying anti-Muslim hatred is rising. Moderation is the key. This from the BBC is not it.'
A spokesman for the BBC said: 'This piece has been edited, and the headline changed, to make it clearer for readers.'
It is understood that BBC bosses believe the term 'revert' should have been attributed to the interviewees and explained fully to readers in the original version of the article.
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