OSAMA BIN EVERYWHERE: THE MANY FACES OF THE ISLAMIC WORLD

PROGRAMME OUTLINE

00:00 – 00:57

Presenter Farrah Jarral introduces herself and filmmaker Masood Khan. She explains their mission: to talk to boys and men named Osama in different countries about what they love, to illustrate the diversity of the world's Muslims.

00:58 – 04:34

Farrah describes growing up in Southend in a family that came from Pakistan. The July 2005 London bombings resulted in Muslims being stereotyped as 'terrorists'. She wants to change that perception by talking to Muslims across the world.

04:35 – 08:14

Nigeria, home to 65 million Muslims. Some are suspicious about talking to a western filmmaker but in the market she finds a tailor who understands Farrah and Masood's aim. Many more Nigerian Osamas follow.

08:15 – 13:39

Kano, northern Nigeria, is a creative centre. 'Osama bin Music' argues that music and Islam are compatible, despite the rulings of some religious leaders. However, the authorities have shut down the city's thriving film industry for a period. An orthodox Osama justifies the ban, saying that films teach people western ways.

13:40 –24:09

Next stop Cairo, Egypt. Here 90% of the population are Muslims and Osama is a very a common name. An air-traffic controller felt his name was a problem after 9/11, but the Egyptian Osamas who talk to Farrah love food, peace, fun and football. A football star is a role model for young people; a radio DJ gives advice on sex and love.

24:10 – 31:16

On to Indonesia, home to 200 million Muslims. Farrah meets an Osama born in Leeds on the day the planes struck the twin towers, and an Osama who owns 400 goats. Generations back, his family came from Yemen. Farrah is worried she has insulted him by mentioning that he 'doesn't look Indonesian'.

31:17 – 36:46

Five Osamas later, it's time to fly to Toronto in Canada. As a result of press interest, many Osamas get in touch. One is from north-east Africa, another is from Pakistan; they both describe Canada as accepting of diversity, though there is a generation gap between young Pakistanis and their parents.

36:47 – 38:21

Osamas are contacting the website from all over the world. But will Farrah and Masood be granted permission to film in Pakistan, which has a reputation for being a hotbed of terrorism?

38:22 – 45:24

Permission comes through: they arrive in Pakistan in time for Independence Day, which is one big party. They head to Lahore and meet members of Masood's family, who see themselves not as perpetrators but as victims of Pakistan's frequent bombings. Tragedy strikes: a bomb goes off on the eve of Independence Day, but the party goes on, in defiance of the terrorists.

45:25 – 47:07

The last day of filming. Farrah and Masood have travelled more than 40,000 miles and found 120 Osamas, who prove that Muslims are very diverse. They can all be seen on the Osama Loves website.

47:08

Credits.