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Muslim fury as 'Jihad The Musical' comes to the UK
Last updated at 15:52pm on 03.08.07International terrorism and the threat to Britain from Al-Qaeda would probably be deemed by most as unlikely subject matter for a musical.
After all, suicide bombing, mass bloodshed and fundamental Islam do not exactly lend themselves to singing and dancing.
But Jihad the Musical by the Silk Circle Production company has forged on regardless and is already being performed on stage at the Edinburgh Festival.
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A scene from Jihad The Musical at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival
The controversial satire about Islamic terrorism includes such classic tunes as "Building a bomb today, what does the manual say" and "I wanna be like Osama".
Perhaps its creators were inspired by the success of The Producers - a runaway broadway hit which attracted criticism for its camp rendition of Nazi Germany.
Like that production, the terrorism musical - billed as a "madcap gallop through the wacky world of international terrorism" - has already sparked protests.
A petition calling for the Prime Minister to condemn the musical has been launched on his Downing Street website.
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A terrorist with cardboad AK47 in a scene from Jihad The Musical
It says: "We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to condemn the tasteless portrayal of terrorism and its victims in Jihad the Musical."
But producer James Lawler has downplayed the protest, saying: "We have no intention of causing offence or insult with this show, It is simply a musical comedy."
The musical tells the story of a young Afghan peasant Sayid who dreams of making it as a flower farmer selling poppies in the West.
His plans are thwarted by a jihadi cell seeking to blow up Western targets, in particular one in Britain known as the "Unidentified, Very Prestigious Landmark".
Sayid sings to his burkha clad mentor: "I can only see your eyes" and theatre-goers are also treated to a song called "We're going to rock the righteous, to the Jihad jive".
The story comes to a head on the night of the attack when Sayid must decide whose side he is on.
His sister eventually saves him, along with the French who sing "We turned and ran".
The Independent said: "The truth is that although the show doesn't exactly bomb, neither Zoe Samuel's lyrics nor Evan Cabnet's production are quite sharp enough to offend.
"It could have been a lot more topical and hard-hitting if it wanted to be really inflammatory."
The reviewer added that the ending was "almost heart-warming".
Jihad the Musical runs until August 26.
Reader views (8)
Here's a sample of the latest views published.
who said anything about making a living?
- X, kantanka
Tasteless? Not tasteless? Everyone needs to calm down! This a natural reaction to the recent wave of international terrorism inflicted upon us all.
It is a hilarious way to deal with a serious problem, and show these terror mongers that they cannot gain the respect of people, nations, and races by blowing things up.
- Carl L. Carter, Las Vegas, USA
Let them have it tastless as it is and remind those who demonstrated against plays recently that we in the west respect free speech without demanding censorship. Perhaps these individuals will then begin to understand our culture and cherish it.
- Steve, Hereford
I'm sure if this was a musical about the Catholic Irish Republican Army (IRA) Irish Catholics would also be offended.
This is a cheap and despicable way to make a living.
- Nester, London, UK
This is too funny! I know, there is so much tragedy going on right now in the world, but this is so absurb, you can't help but laugh (much like the number "Springtime for Hitler, In Germany" in "The Producers".) Love the pink Burquas!
- Nikita, UK
Hope this play comes to Broadway. We New Yorkers have successfully blotted out the memory of September 11, 2001 due to our heavy concentration of liberals. We're so steeped in denial that a good portion of us actually believe that the attack was orchestrated by our own government!
Without having the opportunity to see the play and having to rely on reviews that may be slanted, I imagine that there are enough kernels of truth sprinkled throughout the script that the point is being made. Profoundly.
Humor makes its impact when it is supported by truth, no matter how unpleasant.
Perhaps it will shake us out of our complacency.
- Peter Penn, New York, USA
What, nobody ever heard of a movie and a musical called "The Producers?" The show that was designed to offend that became a hit. The trouble with our over sensitive population today is that they know nothing about history, precedent or anything else other than the here and now political correctness. We should call this the humorless generation.
- David, United States
"We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to condemn the tasteless portrayal of terrorism and its victims in Jihad the Musical." How would they prefer terrorism was portrayed? Perhaps as glorious martyrs and all round jolly good chaps.
- Jane, london
