Unless you are Asian (genetic, skin colour) and presumed to be Muslim and therefore anti British because of a whole chain of knee jerk reactions.

You said 'how hard it is to be a Muslim' not 'how hard it is to be Asian'.

Anyone who assumes someone who is asian is automatically also therefore Muslim would either be an idiot, or have lived a very sheltered life.

I know it was probably meant to be lighthearted but I disliked his 'jokes' with regard to women. If 'jokes' are made about asians/muslims then people are quick to level accusations about racism but if misogyny is intended then hey that's o.k....

I'm happy to give him the benefit of the doubt as it's the first show but if he continues in this vein then unfortunately he will confirm what some people already suspect about attitudes to women in the muslim community.

What muslim community? The asian community? The arab community? The African community? etc

Dont' just tar the whole lot with one brush. Some communities mix religion and culture toghther.

why don't they have a moustache and a beard - does anyone know?

is it for style or religeous reasons.

it would look a lot better with a moustache attached.

Muslims are suppose to keep the beard and trim or shave the moustache.

It is for religious reason following the example and sayings of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) - known in Islam as Sunnah . .

thanks sapphireblue1

Sounds like that's your problem not his.


So what? Deciding you dislike someone just because they happen to be Muslim is prejudiced. Why not wait to get to know them before making judgements about them?


Since when was this chap representative of the entire Muslim community? He's there representing nobody but himself.

Can't believe some of the bigotted and immature comments on this thread. I have no idea how this guy is going to turn out, but at present he seems harmless.

And I love his beard - it makes him stand out from the rest and gives him some character.

I think it is to do with hygiene with regards to eating/drinking.

Whatever the reason it does make him stand out and at first glance thought he might have been Amish hopefully he manages to win over peoples inital prejudices of what they think a typical asian muslim in this country is like.

Unless he actually is like that

Interesting point. Although I think you are mixing up prejudice with experience. While it would be nice to treat everyone equally in life, it doesn't happen. People's attitudes are learnt through experience, and they develop mechanisms to make educated judgements on others based on that experience. It's a natural survival mechanism, that even animals have.

Getting away from the whole Muslim thing, as that seems to be contentious, but imagine a bunch of kids hanging around shops in a run down area, some have Buckfast bottles, they are all wearing hoodies. Do you walk up to them and make pleasant conversation, trying to get to know them before making a judgement, or do you avoid them and park your expensive car elsewhere?

Likewise a bunch of skinheads are in a pub you frequent, some of them have swastikas tattooed on their foreheads. Do you hang around incase some of them turn out to be interesting and funloving individuals or do you make a quick mass judgement and leave?

Now I have known several Muslim guys, and loads of asian people, and they have all been really nice people, pretty easy-going and fair. But you know, how someone chooses to portray themselves will affect how they are perceived by people that don't know them, that's just the way it is, and they are aware of that when they decide whether or not, and to what extent they wish to allow their religion to dictate their appearance.

That's why I have to wear a suit and tie to work. Not for me, I would rather wear jeans and t-shirt, but to manage the judgements other people may make of me, on first impression. If my religion dictated I had to have a mohican haircut, I would have to weigh up my religious convictions with the effect this would have on other people. That's modern civilisation for you.

As far as I'm concerned this guy can have whatever the hell beard he likes though. I don't dislike him or like him so far.

He made two sexist remarks AND you never saw him do any work. Other than shouting into a microphone. At the shoe shining AND car washing. Don't like him already.

ETA: That beard is ridiculous.

sexuality isn't genetic - it results from experiences a child has in his/her young years.

It's not been proved either way if it's nature or nurture as far as I'm aware.

Exactly what I was gonna say...I was expecting someone to take the p*ss out of him.

You realise, of course, that someone had to attract custom, and that 'shouting into a microphone' is a more useful skill than shining shoes - something any old muppet can do?

If they didn't have someone on the loud hailer, I've no doubt that many people would have walked right past the shoe-shiners without a second glance.

I think it's sad that people are getting hung up on his faith and a bit of facial hair.

And any old muppet can't shout into a megaphone?

And why was the microphone needed in the car washing task anyway?

very ammusing! how many BRITISH NON MUSLIMS have big beards? LOTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Get over it, people are so sad

No, they can't. You need to have the confidence and charm to pull people in with a whole shopping mall able to hear you - it's a sales skill. Lots of people would refuse to do it, and many of those who would do it, would do a poor job of it.

Shoe-shining or car-washing is something anyone should be capable of doing.

Unfortunately I can believe it. There are men out there of all colours and religions that have sexist views about women but I bet they wouldn't tar the whole race with that same view. I half-heard one comment (there may have been more), couldn't be bothered to be arsed about listening harder to it and from what I did hear, it wasn't anything more shocking that I heard in my workplace.


You do realise that the whole day they had wasn't shown in the 30-40 piece in the programme? Somehow I can't see anyone not doing any work would a) last long in Sir Alan's interview programme or b) avoid the view of Margaret or others on the team.

Im a woman and i didnt find him sexiest....he was just joking

I get the feeling that he might be the new Tre - he'll be a bit controversial and I think more argumentative as time goes on, and I believe he'll be a good laugh too.

I like him so far. I was guilty last night (hands up!) of seeing 'The Beard' and thinking 'oh, here we go, fundamentalist something or other', but he actually comes across as a fairly cool guy (sexist jokes aside!).

Wasn't he drinking when they were all having a bevvy (forgive me if I'm wrong)?

Please don't turn this thread into a Musilm thread! It's about a man who made some dodgy sexist jokes for my liking Hope it was just a one-off

Well said!

I think he's cute - that beard looks very strokeable!
(and I normally can't stand facial hair)

I bet he really enjoyed the cocktails.

Good thinking Alan!