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BBC’s Archers Slammed for Lynda Snell’s Ramadan Fast Controversy Ahead of Lent

BBG News

It was launched more than seventy years ago to tell the story of everyday country folk.

But now Radio 4’s The Archers has been branded ‘woke’ and ‘offensive’ for broadcasting a storyline about Ramadan in the run up to the Christian festival of Lent.

Fans of the show which is set in the fictional English village of Ambridge are furious about the storyline which features local stalwart and practising Christian Lynda Snell fasting out of respect for Dr Azra Malik a local GP and her family who are Muslim.

As a long-time devotee with over six decades of dedication to this program, I cannot help but voice my discontent: I had never anticipated that the BBC would instate their progressive policies within the realm of Ambridge.

‘Last week’s episode of the Maliks and Lynda sitting down to a Ramadan meal and prayers was a real low for me.’

In an episode broadcast on Monday 24 February local bed and breakfast owner Lynda, played by Carole Boyd, announced her intention to fast over the upcoming weekend.

She declined joining the Shrove Tuesday event as she was observing a fast, and made it clear to her husband, Robert, that he too should abstain from eating during this period.

She concluded from his refusal of wine during lunch that he is now participating in Ramadan.

In a subsequent episode broadcast on Sunday 2 March Lynda explained to her GP neighbour why she is participating in the Islamic tradition.

She expressed that any chance to broaden our personal experiences helps shape our personality and increases our comprehension of those we share our journey on Earth with.

In the same episode, they had their evening meal together with the Malik family to symbolize the conclusion of their day’s fast.

Lynda’s curiosity is sparked by the saying of prayers at the beginning of the meal.

She asked her hosts, ‘Are these words another prayer?’ before being told: ‘They are the words we say in Arabic before breaking fast.’ 

When Lynda remarks how beautiful the prayer is a member of the family translates the prayer into English.

Many Archers fans have welcomed the arrival of the Malik family into Ambridge.

However, some people find it hard to believe that Snell, known as the village gossip, could suddenly observe Ramadan so swiftly.

As a lifestyle enthusiast, I’ve noticed a point of discussion arising among listeners concerning BBC Radio 4’s Feedback program. Some listeners feel that the focus during a specific period could have been on Lent rather than Ramadan.

One person criticized the concept that Lynda Snell would fast, stating it was illogical. They didn’t have a problem with her meeting the Malik family in the village, but felt that prayers and religious beliefs had no role to play in an everyday tale about rural life.

Additionally, it was pointed out that while I don’t take offense at Muslim characters participating in Ramadan, I am offended that the Christian characters are also shown as participating in their fasting.

‘This is supposedly a story of everyday country folk who live in a farming community and are not there to promote the BBCs woke identify.’

Several listeners said the show which has been on air since 1951 was guilty of sidelining Christianity.

One said: ‘I am shocked that during the time of Lent – a time that is sacred to followers of Jesus Christ – there is no mention at all of our Christian religion during this important period. It’s very upsetting that the programme supports Ramadan but absolutely sidesteps any mention of Lent. BBC bias? I think so.’

A devout Christian participating in Lenten fasting shared with the BBC’s Feedback program, “While I appreciate the emphasis on diversity, it would be fair to include that it is also Lent during this discussion.

Meanwhile, Ann Widdecombe, the former Home Office minister, who is a practising Christian, said: ‘I haven’t got any objections to a Muslim family moving into Ambridge, but this storyline is just the BBC being achingly politically correct. Of course they won’t do Christian prayers. Of course they won’t embrace Lent in the same way. This is the BBC all over.’

And Jeremy Black, the historian and author of A History of the British Isles, said: ‘While millions of British Muslims celebrate Ramadan, such activity is scarcely typical of rural life in agricultural areas. To imply otherwise is to misrepresent British society and in particular to downplay the salience of Christianity in these areas. 

‘If the Archers wished to focus on their seasonal religious life, then Lent should be foremost.’

Frank Furedi, emeritus professor of sociology at the University of Kent, agreed, adding: ‘It is a shame that the Archers have become enveloped by the ideology of multiculturalism. 

Instead of focusing on Lent, there’s a shift towards celebrating Ramadan on the farm, with Lent taking a backseat due to its cultural irrelevance in this context. When might one of the Archer characters publicly identify as a transgender activist?

It’s intriguing that the Archer’s narrative decided to emphasize Islamic fasting during Ramadan, coinciding with the period when Christians are observing the season of Lent. (Tim Dieppe, Christian Concern’s Head of Public Policy)

‘This appears to be an example of the BBC going out of its way to respect and promote Islamic practice in a popular drama. The BBC was set up with a vision of promoting Christian values. Islamic values are quite different as is very evident in the treatment of Christians in Islamic nations. 

‘Would the BBC ever dare to promote Christianity as objectively better than Islam today?’

As a devoted admirer, I can’t help but jump at the chance to defend the intriguing narrative unfolding on BBC Radio 4. And just as I suspected, Lent has cropped up in some of the most recent broadcasts – isn’t it fascinating?

They said: ‘The Archers has a long history of reflecting faith in its storylines, and regularly features storylines centred on Christian faith, such as the annual carol service, celebrations of Palm Sunday, Lent, and Harrison’s baptism.’

They added: ‘Ambridge is a reflection of real-life rural communities in the UK today, and so it is home to people with a range of faiths and beliefs. 

In Ambridge, the latest narratives revolving around Ramadan and Shrove Tuesday delve into how the deepening relationships among the characters have resulted in their embracing one another’s religious practices.

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2025-03-16 04:21

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