The BBC is facing much backlash on social media for its recent tweet for Eid. On April 4, the BBC shared an article titled 'Eid celebration can be lonely for Muslim reverts' on X and it gained much attention, though for not the right reasons.
For the unversed, some people use the word “revert” instead of “convert” because they believe that everyone is born Muslim and later strays due to other religions or beliefs. However, this idea is not accepted by all Muslims and it is often linked to extremist views.
And so, critics say the term 'revert' is misleading and it promotes a specific religious ideology. They argue that calling someone a “revert” implies they were once Muslim by default, which isn’t a fact but a belief held by some groups.
Tory MP Tom Tugendhat said that using the term is “Islamist propaganda”. “Calling converts ‘reverts’ is ideology, not fact. It’s Islamist propaganda and has no place on the BBC,” he said.
Meanwhile, Dr. Taj Hargey from the Oxford Institute for British Islam also criticised it, calling the term “utter nonsense,” reported The Sun.
Criticising the BBC, Humanists UK posted on X in a now viral tweet, "The term ‘revert’ refers to the belief in Islam that everyone is ‘born’ Muslim and thus religious converts are merely Muslims who found their way back. This may be what Muslims *believe* but BBC editorial ought to be religiously neutral and stick to factual term like ‘convert’."
The original BBC article focused on how Ramadan can feel lonely for people who convert to Islam. It used the word “revert” multiple times in the copy, but after the backlash it was later updated. Now, the word is only included in quotes and the headline was also later changed to use “converts” instead.
The BBC explained the change, saying the article was edited to be clearer for readers.
This is not the first time that the BBC has stirred up a controversy. Over the years, the BBC has faced multiple controversies related to religion over the years. Critics have accused it of displaying bias, particularly in its coverage of Christianity and Islam. Some claim the BBC underrepresents Christian perspectives while being overly cautious or accommodating toward Islamic views. The BBC was also criticised for its handling of coverage during events like the Brexit referendum and the Israel-Palestine conflict. Its editorial decisions have occasionally sparked backlash, raising questions about impartiality and journalistic standards.
For the unversed, some people use the word “revert” instead of “convert” because they believe that everyone is born Muslim and later strays due to other religions or beliefs. However, this idea is not accepted by all Muslims and it is often linked to extremist views.
And so, critics say the term 'revert' is misleading and it promotes a specific religious ideology. They argue that calling someone a “revert” implies they were once Muslim by default, which isn’t a fact but a belief held by some groups.
'Eid celebration can be lonely for Muslim reverts' https://t.co/7PKuO6Cywj
— BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) April 4, 2025
Tory MP Tom Tugendhat said that using the term is “Islamist propaganda”. “Calling converts ‘reverts’ is ideology, not fact. It’s Islamist propaganda and has no place on the BBC,” he said.
Meanwhile, Dr. Taj Hargey from the Oxford Institute for British Islam also criticised it, calling the term “utter nonsense,” reported The Sun.
Criticising the BBC, Humanists UK posted on X in a now viral tweet, "The term ‘revert’ refers to the belief in Islam that everyone is ‘born’ Muslim and thus religious converts are merely Muslims who found their way back. This may be what Muslims *believe* but BBC editorial ought to be religiously neutral and stick to factual term like ‘convert’."
The original BBC article focused on how Ramadan can feel lonely for people who convert to Islam. It used the word “revert” multiple times in the copy, but after the backlash it was later updated. Now, the word is only included in quotes and the headline was also later changed to use “converts” instead.
The BBC explained the change, saying the article was edited to be clearer for readers.
This is not the first time that the BBC has stirred up a controversy. Over the years, the BBC has faced multiple controversies related to religion over the years. Critics have accused it of displaying bias, particularly in its coverage of Christianity and Islam. Some claim the BBC underrepresents Christian perspectives while being overly cautious or accommodating toward Islamic views. The BBC was also criticised for its handling of coverage during events like the Brexit referendum and the Israel-Palestine conflict. Its editorial decisions have occasionally sparked backlash, raising questions about impartiality and journalistic standards.
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