Haram Meat: BBC Pig Roast Angers Muslim Staff

Muslim employees at the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) were reportedly taken aback by a pig roast event that took place right outside the offices of the BBC’s Arabic TV service in London. This event, featuring a spit-roasted pig complete with its head, was organized to celebrate the Commonwealth Games hosted in Glasgow, sparking considerable discussion and concern among the Muslim staff, as reported by The Sun on Sunday.

Given the Islamic dietary law that prohibits the consumption of pork, the choice of a pig roast at a corporation as diverse as the BBC, especially near its Arabic TV service that serves a wide audience across 32 countries, has raised eyebrows. An Iranian journalist working for the BBC described the incident as a cause of “horror” during their lunch break at the New Broadcasting House. Another staff member labeled the event as “disrespectful,” feeling that the pig roast was unnecessarily prominent.

Despite these expressions of discomfort, a spokesperson from the BBC mentioned that the corporation hadn’t received formal complaints about the pig roast. The Arabic TV service, a cornerstone of the BBC’s global outreach since its launch in 2008, aims to cover news and events from a perspective that resonates with its audience spread across the Middle East and beyond.

This incident, however, isn’t isolated when it comes to concerns of cultural sensitivity around the Commonwealth Games. Malaysian politicians, particularly from the ultra-conservative Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party, voiced their discontent with the use of Scottie dogs dressed in tartan leading athletes at the Games’ opening ceremony, citing it as “disrespectful” to Muslims who consider dogs unclean and are generally advised against touching them.

These instances highlight the ongoing dialogue about cultural sensitivity and respect in global events and workplaces. For international corporations and event organizers, these are valuable lessons in considering the diverse cultural and religious backgrounds of their audience and staff, ensuring inclusivity and respect in their actions and choices.