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Seven to air ‘outrageous sitcom’ about Muslim community leader

The Seven Network is to air a sitcom about the “hilarious antics” of a self-appointed Muslim community leader.

According to the description of the show:

“Citizen Khan follows the trials and tribulations of self-appointed Muslim community leader Mr Khan and his long-suffering family. Things would be so much easier if everyone listened to him and followed his lead, but his obsessively house-proud wife and two feisty daughters have other ideas. He finds a refuge of sorts in the local mosque run by new mosque manager Dave – who to Mr Khan’s chagrin is not only white, but ginger.”

The show has been bought from BBC Worldwide. The first series of six episodes aired in the UK earlier this year. A further seven episodes have been commissioned.

Angus Ross, Seven’s director of network programming: “The BBC has an established history of producing quality comedies and Citizen Khan is no exception. We are delighted to bring our viewers this outrageous new sitcom.”

The show has created controversy in the UK with complaints that it ridiculed Islam.

Other critics suggested it harked back to 1970s sitcoms.

In 2010, Seven aired “epitome of racist sitcom” Love Thy Neighbour from 1972 on its digital channel 7Two.

Irene Read, BBC Worldwide Australasia’s head of sales said: “The Seven Network is the perfect platform to showcase this fresh and vibrant family comedy and we are thrilled that Australian audiences will be given the opportunity to share in the hilarious antics of Mr Khan.”

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