A broadcast monitoring agency stated that community radio stations may face sanctions after broadcasting chants containing “jihad lyrics”, which are “indirect calls for action.”
Link FM, based on Sheffield The chant called “Nasheed” was played twice in two breakfast shows in December last year.
After the broadcast, four complaints were filed with the regulator Ofcom.
In a report released on Tuesday, Ofcom stated that listeners reported that Nasheed was called “Jundallah” and contained “jihad lyrics” that “promote terrorism.”
Ofcom translated Nasheed’s lyrics and concluded that it violated two rules in the broadcast code.
The regulator stated in its report that it understands that Nasheed is a “mature expression of Islamic faith” and has “benign religious information without violence.”
It added that a newer type of Nasheed called “Jihad Nasheed” has become more common, with a “war-like tone and tenor that can be used to create violent jihad narratives.”
This Pakistan The Muslim Center, the licensee of the radio station, stated that it was aware of the violations and was “wholeheartedly [apologised] Because of an error”.
It added that this was an “unfortunate incident…we hope not to repeat it in the future” and that the host was “very sorry and shocked” after reading Ofcom’s translation of Nasheed.
The center stated that it accepted the host’s explanation in good faith and concluded that it did not need to report the incident to the police or Prevent.
The report added that the licensee understood the potential harm that might occur, but stated that it would be “minimal” because Nasheed broadcasts in Arabic and their audience mainly speaks Urdu and English.
The licensee stated that the host who played the song did not speak Arabic and that the work was not checked before it was broadcast.
Ofcom said: “Careful evaluation of the lyrics…we think it conveys a general message to listeners who are trying to forgive, promote and encourage violent jihad as a legitimate expression of Islamic faith and glorify the ideology associated with jihad. Including martyrdom.
“Terrorist organizations use Nasheeds that contain information similar to Zhendala to attract potential recruits.
“Therefore, Ofcom believes that the content amounts to an indirect call for action, which may encourage or incite crime or cause confusion.”
Its conclusion is: “Therefore, our decision is that we deliberately consider imposing statutory sanctions on these violations.”
The Pakistan Muslim Center declined to comment further.
