THE BBC has been blasted for describing Muslim converts as “reverts”.
The controversial term implies that conversion to Islam is returning to the faith all humans are born into.
GettyTom Tugendhat said: ‘Calling converts ‘reverts’ is ideology, not fact. It’s Islamist propaganda and has no place on the BBC’[/caption]
It is typically associated with Islamist fundamentalism.
The word was used throughout a BBC News article about Eid — the Muslim holiday that marks the end of Ramadan.
Tory MP Tom Tugendhat said: “Calling converts ‘reverts’ is ideology, not fact.
“It’s Islamist propaganda and has no place on the BBC.”
Dr Taj Hargey, of the Oxford Institute for British Islam, said the term “should never be used”, adding: “It is utter tosh.”
Friday’s BBC article — about how Ramadan can be lonely for converts — was edited yesterday to remove all uses of the word “revert” apart from in quotes and the headline.
The term suggests all people were born Muslim and can “turn back” to Islam after following other religions such as Christianity.
Later, the headline was changed to “converts” and a definition was added.
The BBC said: “It was edited to make it clearer for readers.”
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