'Antisemitic' BBC The Apprentice star breaks silence as pre-filmed scenes axed following backlash

'Antisemitic' BBC The Apprentice star breaks silence as pre-filmed scenes axed following backlash

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BBC
Alex Davies

By Alex Davies


Published: 15/02/2024

- 12:29

Dr Asif Munaf has claimed he 'will continue speaking the truth'

A contestant on this year's The Apprentice on the BBC has spoken out after it was confirmed his scenes in sister show You're Fired had been shelved.

Dr Asif Munaf has sparked uproar ever since he was unveiled as a candidate for the Lord Alan Sugar series due to a series of social media posts deemed antisemitic.


The reality star had previously claimed on social media that Zionists were a "godless satanic cult" and referenced the "trial of the zionist antichrist".

Even after the posts were brought to light and Munaf received diversity training from the Beeb - according to the Telegraph - the Apprentice star continued to share controversial opinions on X, including remarks such as "ziotrolls".

According to Deadline, Munaf had still been allowed to film his You're Fired episode this past weekend - much to the dismay of several Jewish staffers.

The BBC has since seemingly reversed the decision to air the filmed material, with a spokesperson telling GB News: "We can confirm that the individual concerned will not feature as a guest on any additional upcoming BBC content relating to The Apprentice."

Dr Asif Munaf

Dr Asif Munaf (second from left) has appeared in the first few episodes of the current series of The Apprentice

BBC

On Thursday, following the news his You're Fired episode wouldn't be aired, Munaf returned to social media - and continued to air his views.

Revealing a spoiler for Thursday's instalment of The Apprentice, Munaf shared: "My time on the show will come to end tonight. But this is just the beginning.

"We thank Him for the opportunity to bring the plight of our brothers and sisters in Gaza to the mainstream."

The Apprentice star continued to share a series of posts about the series, writing in a separate entry: "They can cut my scenes from the show but they cut my connection with Him."

Dr Asif Munaf

Dr Asif Munaf has spoken out on the news the BBC will axe his You're Fired episode

BBC

Elsewhere in his rant, Munaf continued to refer to his faith: "They did me dirty. The lobby pressured the broadcaster and they relented. This will only ignite a bigger flame in my belly. We have Him."

He also said: "The lobby tried to influence the broadcaster. They relented. The lobby tried to influence the regulator. They relented. You know what doesn't relent? My faith."

And he continued his tirade in another post: "I will continue speaking the truth whether it costs me my limbs, livelihood or life. It all belongs to Him in the first place.

"You simply cannot shake a man who seeks only His Pleasure. Alhamdulillah for the mindset Islam instills in you. Alhamdulillah for Islam."

Still maintaining his views on Zionism, Munaf added: "Anti-Zionism is not racism or antisemitism. Zionism is not a race or religion. It is a few hundred year old cult." (sic)

The BBC has faced pressure from its own employees as well as Jewish groups in the UK for its handling of Munaf's participation in the series.

The Board of Deputies of British Jews even contacted Director General Tim Davie and incoming chair Samir Shah directly urging them to apologise for Munaf's inclusion in the show.

One employee is also quoted by Deadline as saying of the situation: "I’m stunned. It’s got to the situation where [management] are trying to get through the issue, not dealing with the issue, and I don’t think it will pass anytime soon."

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