A Dutch radio station has been forced to cancel a late-night music show aimed at young Muslims after presenters received death threats from religious extremists.
FunX, a youth radio station broadcast by the Dutch state broadcaster NPO initially planned to broadcast the late-night show to appeal to young Muslims who were staying up late in time to eat the traditional suhur meal.
The meal – which must take place at some point before the early morning Fajar prayer call – is the last one fasting Muslims can eat until after dark the following day.
The radio show featured music and entertainment to keep listeners engaged into the wee hours.
However, not everyone was pleased by the idea and FunX DJ Morad El Ouakili and a number of colleagues received a number of death threats in recent days.
The threats reportedly came from religious hardliners, furious at the fact that the station was associating the holy month of Ramadan with pop music.
Station bosses decided to cancel the popular show as a result.
A statement from the broadcaster read: “Several FunX employees have received death threats and since their safety is paramount we had to hire extra security.”
This is an unacceptable consequence of an initiative that was meant to bring people together.
“Talking to the public about social issues means you have to be willing to listen to each other. That’s the power of FunX. That’s why we’ve decided to cancel the show Ramadan Late Night.”
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Story By: Conor Sheils, Sub-Editor: Michael Leidig, Agency: Newsflash
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