THREAT TO BLOW UP EASTENDERS

Furious Muslims have issued threats against EastEnders bosses over a storyline that showed an Asian character breaking his Ramadan fast.

Postman Masood Ahmed was spotted snacking on a chapati during the holy month.
BBC chiefs said the incident was supposed to show the “fallibility” of Masood – played by Nitin Ganatra, 40.

But hundreds of angry Muslims have accused the soap of mocking their religion. And some have even threatened the show’s bosses on internet sites.
Security has now been stepped up amid fears a militant bomb nut may target the show and its stars.

One blogger said: “This is a slur on all Muslims. Those involved should pay the ultimate sacrifice. Why should our religion be used for a cheap laugh?”

Another, called VirIslam, wrote: “This is an insult to religion and to all Muslims. Yet again Islam is being laughed at on British television. They should be made to pay for this slur.”
Another rants: “It is vile that the holy month is being used for a cheap laugh.

“TV never portrays Muslims in a good light. We are always the evil bad guys. This plot is making us a laughing stock.”
The episode, screened last month, showed Masood being snapped in the act by Ian Beale Muslims claim the storyline is an insult to those who adhere to the strict Ramadan rules by not eating or drinking between the hours of dawn and sunset.

It sparked 110 complaints to the Beeb, which has now issued a statement insisting that it did not mean to cause offence.
It said: “Although Masood is a practising Muslim, he is 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.
“We try to treat our characters as individuals with their own sets of behaviours. As in real life, they do not always strictly follow all the laws, traditions and customs of their religions.”