God and the Politicians was a very subjective - and in several places, quite unfair - look at the role faith communities play in the UK electoral process. In particular, much was made by David Aaronovitch of an incorrect description of Lorna Fitzsimmons as being Jewish in a leaflet that MPACUK distributed in Rochdale. MPACUK had promptly apologised for this mistake and that should really have been the end of the matter. MPACUK are resolutely anti-Zionist.

However, they also completely abhor any manifestation of racial or religious prejudice, including anti-semitism. By dwelling on the mistake in the MPACUK leaflet, Aaronovitch made it appear that the real reason that Ms Fitzsimmons lost her seat was due more to anti-semitism than her vocal support for the illegal war against Iraq. In addition, the documentary completely overlooked the important role MPACUK played in the 2005 elections in encouraging British Muslims to fully participate in the mainstream political system. For a documentary purportedly looking at the role faith communities play in elections, this was a very strange omission.

A legitimate question may be asked as to whether David Aaronovitch - who was also a very vocal supporter of the Iraq war - was a suitable choice to present this BBC documentary in a balanced manner.

Inayat Bunglawala, Secretary, Media committee, The Muslim Council of Britain.

[MPACUK Comment: Make sure Aaronovitch is held accountable for disgraceful Islamophobic bias - click here for ALERT]

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