DJ deserved to lose job, says protest leader

DESERVED IT: A young Emirati woman is leading an internet protest against former Virgin Radio DJ Revin John.

The young Emirati woman at the centre of a major internet protest against former Virgin Radio DJ Revin John says the presenter deserved to lose his job.

South Africa-born John was fired from his Dubai breakfast radio show on Tuesday, after he upset listeners the previous day by reading an article which was offensive for religious reasons.

Mariam Zarouni, a 20-year-old chemical engineering student at the American University of Sharjah, told Arabian Business in an interview on Thursday that John’s actions were beyond belief.

"For us in Islam, God is the biggest thing we have and for him to make fun of him in that way, it was offensive and rude. It’s belittling.

"He deserves to lose his job because he did not apologise straightaway, he only apologised after everything, the next day."

Zarouni said she was so upset by the broadcast she immediately established Facebook group ‘Against Virgin Radio God Call’.

By Thursday afternoon the group had almost 650 members, and Zarouni expected it to continue to grow.

Zarouni had also phoned to complain directly to the radio station on Monday.

“I eventually spoke to the presenter after Revin John, who apologised to me. But it’s not enough; it should have been to all the listeners. I think there should be more supervision of English radio stations in the future, so this does not happen again.”

Mahmoud Al-Rasheed, general manager of Arab Radio Network, had confirmed on Wednesday to Arabian Business that the presenter had been asked to leave for “inappropriate on-air conduct”.

“Arabian Radio Network has continuously maintained that it is a company that respects the cultures and traditions of all religions,” he said in a statement.

Print | Email | Discuss this article

| Share |

READERS' COMMENTS

anla the great teacher
Posted by m, torrance, USA on Saturday 1 November 2008 at 01:18 UAE time


anla, its funny how you ask me to listen and learn, yet you yourself have done nothing but attack me personally and worried about my gastric problems, what is your point to me Oh all knowing teacher? Do you have anything useful to say to me? Who did I judge almight anla? dont worry about me reading...question is..can YOU read? looks like someone needs to practice what they preach , plus they need to start making sense..Oh great anla....

To the ranter m, torrance,
Posted by anla, NYC, USA on Friday 31 October 2008 at 03:03 UAE time

I sure hope that your childish rant took care of your indigestion, seems you had a bad case of it.

Of course, you totally missed the issue - no small wonder as enamored with your self-righteousness as you were :)

Ah well, as the prophet knows.... it takes all kinds :)

By the way: I am not an expat... learn, listen and read before "JUDGING"

Thanks
Posted by Graham Plater, Munich, Germany on Thursday 30 October 2008 at 13:07 UAE time

Thank you, Anla - you hit the nail on the head. It would be more appropriate for those upset with non-Islamic attitudes to divert some energy to REAL issues, like the awful treatment of Muslim and non-Muslim workers in the UAE. And spare us the usual hogwash about "they're better off here than at home without a job" - there is simply no excuse for ruthless exploitation of the needy.

Hypocritical Expats
Posted by m, torrance, USA on Thursday 30 October 2008 at 10:39 UAE time


To all you hypocrites who are attacking this young woman for her opinion and right to protest, and for whatever it is worth, look at what happened to Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross, British society lambasted them and forced them off the air. You cry foul over gender racism but when it comes to Islam and the Arabs you want the Muslim and Arab world to bend over backwards for you so that you can satisfy your egos that are bigger than the defunct British Empire, hypocrisy at its best, your opinions are your right, but you are better off if you practice what you preach.
Btw, I am a non-Muslim expat who does not believe that the DJ should be fired, however I support this woman in her right to say and act upon her beliefs.

View all comments (38) >>

Click here to post a comment

Add your Comment All posts are sent to the administrator for review and are published only after approval. ArabianBusiness.com reserves the right to remove any comment at any time for any reason. Please keep your responses appropriate and on topic. Arabian Business would like to point out that only comments relevant to the story will be published. Any containing personal insults or inappropriate language will not be approved.
Name *
Remember me on this computer
Email *	(Your email address will not be published)
City
Country
Subject *
Comment *
Notify me of further comments
Enter the words above *
Please click post only once - your comment will not be published immediately.

MORE FROM ARABIANBUSINESS.COM