BBC2 sketch has been criticised as ‘morally bankrupt’ but many say satire is British tradition and can help fight terrorism

Real Housewives of Isis: 'They want Muslims to be offended, but we aren’t'

As 23-year-old student Zarina watches Real Housewives of Isis on a phone amid the bustle of Whitechapel market in the east end of London, she puts her hand to her mouth and gasps before bursting into laughter.

On the screen a hijab-wearing character models a suicide vest for her fellow jihadi wives. “What do you think?” she asks. “Ahmed surprised me with it yesterday.” The pal reacts by excitedly posting a picture on Instagram, saying: “Hashtag OMG. Hashtag Jihadi Jane. Hashtag death to the west, ISIS emoji.”

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Real Housewives of Isis

The comedy sketch – aired this week as part of BBC2’s new comedy series Revolting – has come under fire from some viewers who have called it “morally bankrupt” and insensitive, while others have accused the BBC of making “Hijabis feel more isolated [and] targeted by Islamophobes”. Comedians, however, have said that reaction to the sketch is part of a growing culture of offence which – alongside stories that overhype the reaction – are in danger of stifling one of Britain’s most successful exports: its satire.

“Some people say that they are offended, some people are offended on others’ behalf, others are offended and they don’t even know why. Being offended is very popular these days,” says comedian and writer Shazia Mirza.

The stand-up, who is currently touring her show The Kardashians Made Me Do It, inspired by the jihadi schoolgirls who joined Isis, said reports of outrage often amounted to a small collection of opinions scooped from social media. “The rightwing press might be offended, and maybe the leftwing liberals, but Muslims aren’t offended – it’s like they want us to be offended but we aren’t. We’re OK, thanks,” she says.

“There’s a long history of people from different religions mocking themselves – Christians, Jews, Catholics – why can’t Muslims make jokes about themselves? If we are going to continue that proud tradition of satire that has to be allowed.”

Real Housewives of Isis – a satire of the successful reality TV format – has been attacked by some viewers for being a waste of taxpayers’ money, but also for being culturally insensitive.



Comedians are facing increasing criticism from both the right and left, which could have crippling consequences, says Shaun Pye, the co-creator of the dark satirical animation Monkey Dust, shown on BBC3.

“In the old days you’d get criticism from the right wing, but now so much comes from what you would have called the left, who in the old days would have been celebrating free speech – and that can be more limiting,” he says.



Pye says he has spoken to younger writers who are wary of getting a barrage of social media abuse if they stray into controversial areas. “Twitter is so personal, it’s easy to ignore a critical news story but if you suddenly have a Twitter feed full of people having a go at you, that can be more intimidating.”

Real Housewives of Isis, which lasts a little more than a minute and a half, is only one of a series of sketches in Revolting, written by the Bafta-winning writers Heydon Prowse and Jolyon Rubinstein, the creators of The Revolution Will Be Televised. The sketch depicts one woman mopping a floor, muttering: “Didn’t have to do this in Birmingham”, while another explains that she has been given a chain as a present from her husband. “Ali’s brought me a new chain,” she says, before the viewer sees she is attached to a cooker. She adds: “Which is 8ft long so I can almost get outside, which is great.”

The satire of the piece could be a powerful tool in preventing the radicalisation of young women, argues Shaista Gohir, the chair of the Muslim Women’s Network UK.



“[When trying to combat Isis] everyone just uses the same old approach, telling terrible stories of girls who went, but this is very different and it gets the message across in a satirical way,” she says.

Teenagers are far more likely to share humorous videos than didactic messages, she adds. “We need different strategies and this is one of them. If it gets the message across, then great.”

Sara Khan, writing in the International Business Times, agrees: “Terrorists ultimately seek to change the way we live our lives by creating a climate of fear. Satire is a long-standing British trait, which helps to neutralise fear through such ridicule.”

The sketch also speaks to a long British comedic history of mocking one’s enemies, says Richard Gadd, who won the Edinburgh comedy award with a painfully personal show about his difficulties overcoming a sexual assault.



“Satire is so important as an art form. It cuts right to the heart of an opponent: against all the violent tropes of Isis, mockery can have a devastating effect,” he says. “Mockery done well can cause real instability in your opponent. It is such a fundamental part of British culture, it’s part of the fabric of our country.”



Real Housewives of Isis seems to cause little offence to shoppers at Whitechapel market. “It’s just a joke,” says Islam Fokrul, 29, working on a stall selling scarves. “As long as it is not trying to intentionally hurt someone, why not? In comedy you can get a message to the people that this is the wrong thing to do.”

Zarina, a student who does not want to give her surname, agrees: “There’s always going to be people who get upset about something. But I don’t find this offensive – it’s a bit silly, but definitely funny.”

A BBC spokeswoman said: “This show is satire, and the BBC has a rich history of satire.” The corporation would not comment further.

