GB News guest defends Muslim panto as ‘just parody’ and ‘not the end of British culture’: 'It is a bit of fun!'

Snow Brown and her Seven Chachay (Urdu for "Uncles") is run by Muslim Panto, which was set up comedian and Citizen Khan actor Abdullah Afzal.

Previously, shows have been sponsored by various charities, but this year for the first time Mr Afzal has fully funded the production independently.

While the show, describing itself on Instagram as "Nigel Farage’s worst nightmare" has proved popular across the country, selling out shows in Derby, Luton and London, it has been targeted by internet trolls.

Speaking about the show on GB News, Ms Mahomed said: “I think we need to lower the temperature. This is a pantomime, not legislation, not indoctrination.

"It is not the end of British culture either. It’s simply a voluntary comedy show with a cultural twist, built on one of the most British traditions we have, which is parody.

"No one is being forced to attend it, no tradition is being erased, and nothing is being imposed on anyone else. It exists alongside traditional pantos, not instead of them.

"Britain has always been strongest when it allows people to express themselves freely through art and humour, whether that’s satire or cultural reinterpretation.

"This isn’t segregation, it’s integration done naturally, without coercion. And if people don’t like it, that’s fine no one has to go.”

Lubnah Salah, who plays Snow Brown, said it was "heartwarming" to play the role, telling Channel 4: "We just want everyone to enjoy the fun. You don't have to be Muslim to come down and watch it."

The show also stars former Coronation Street actress Zoe Iqbal as the wicked stepmother and TikTok personality Daud Butt as her sidekick, Padh (the Punjabi word for fart).

One young audience member told Channel 4: "It makes me feel proud to be Pakistani and Muslim and British to have all those cultures combined."

Another added: "It's as twist to the typical panto but it's still a panto at heart with all the fun associated with it."

The production is raising money for charities including Donate Directly and Forgotten Women.

Citizen Khan actor Abdullah Afzal told The Mirror: ""I wanted the panto to be pure comedy with 'desi' jokes, so South-Asians could relate to it.

"We seem to be in limbo when it comes to identity, with being ourselves. But we can be proud British Muslims, we don't have to be just one or the other.

"It gives me goosebumps when I see little girls in the meet and greet run up to Snow Brown and they look mesmerised because Snow Brown looks like her older sister, her mum or her aunt. It's so nice to see families come to the show.

"I wanted to create a safe space to cater for all ages, to keep the jokes and play as a whole halal, so it's suitable for the whole family.

"I had a mother come up to me to say we had too many fart jokes in the show, but the two-year-olds in the audience are laughing their heads off. We want it to be silly and fun."

Mr Azfal added: "Panto is a British institution, it's very important in British culture. It's something families go out to.

"It's my history, the upbringing I had with the conflicts of being British and Muslim at times when I was growing up. But I'm proud of both of those things.

"I'm proud of being British and I'm proud of being Pakistani, bringing that to the stage people like me are coming out and enjoying the show."