BBC defends ‘Eastenders’ Ramadan scene

The BBC has defended a scene in Eastenders in which a Muslim character broke his Ramadan fast.

The scene featuring Masood Ahmed, played by Nitin Ganatra was broadcast last month. It sparked 107 complaints.

The controversy prompted after Masood was seen eating by Ian and Jane Beale during the day, which is prohibited during the holy month.

The BBC said the scene was supposed to show Massod’s “fallibilities” and did not “represent the entire British-Asian or British Muslim experience”.

“Although Masood is a practising Muslim, he has his own fallibilities as a human being,” it said in a statement.

“He’s a fictional character with flaws who realises he has let himself down in a moment of weakness.

“We would like to assure viewers it was not our intention to insult Muslim or Islamic values.”