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The BBC presenter sparked uproar when she asked BBC Asian Network Twitter followers: "What is the right punishment for blasphemy?" The question was criticised by viewers horrified that the BBC would assume that blasphemy must be punished in some form. Muslim activist Shazia Awan asked viewers to offer their opinions on the method to punish those that commit blasphemy. Blasphemy is already punished by death or severe jail terms in some Muslim-majority countries, such as Pakistan and Malaysia.

TWITTER Muslim activist Shazia Awan asked viewers to offer their opinions how blasphemy should be punished

Critics online hit out at the presenter for asking the "disgraceful" question. One viewer wrote: "There should be no punishment. It's the 21st century." Ali A. Rivaz asked: "Is this a serious question?" Linda Sulher wrote: "This is BRITAIN, folks. WOW" while another said: "Disgraceful that BBC Asian Network would ask what 'punishment' should be for blasphemy. "You know people get killed for it."

TWITTER Critics online hit out at the presenter

There should be no punishment. It's the 21st century Twitter user

Jeffrey Peel tweeted: "Are you serious? You’re funded by British licence payers who cherish freedom of speech." Another asked: "BBC are you serious? Asking a question like this in 2017? Why are you perpetuating this barbaric Stone Age thinking?" By the next day, the BBC tweeted its "apologies" for the "poorly worded question". A spokesperson added: "We never intend to imply Blasphemy should be punished. Provocative question that got it wrong."

BBC Blasphemy is still punishable by death in some Muslim countries