UK broadcaster cancels screening of film questioning Islam's origins citing security concerns

London, Sept 12 (ANI): A British public service television broadcaster has cancelled the planned screening of a documentary film questioning the origins of Islam citing concerns over security.

Channel 4 for decided not to screen 'Islam: The Untold Story', which claimed there was little written contemporary evidence about the origin of the religion, at its headquarters this week.

"Having taken security advice we have reluctantly cancelled a planned screening of the programme, Islam: The Untold Story. We remain extremely proud of the film, which is still available to view on 4oD," the channel said in a statement.

The movie has sparked over 1,000 complaints to Channel 4 and the media regulator after it was broadcast two weeks ago, The Guardian reports.

Dr. Jenny Taylor, a writer and academic who had been invited to attend the screening, said it was 'appalling' that the event was being cancelled.

"This party was cancelled for security reasons, so this means that presumably people's lives are at risk," the paper quoted Taylor, who runs the charity Lapido Media, as saying.

According to the paper, Taylor said media coverage was a factor in whipping up 'a false storm of protest' over the programme, which she described as 'a good bit of history by one of the most eminent historians in the country'. (ANI)