Muslims are the fastest growing religious group in Britain. So, what channel do they flip to for home entertainment? — Courtesy photo

British Muslim TV, a new channel aimed at British Muslims is set for launch this month. Its arrival joins an already growing number of specialized, niche channels for religious and ethnic minorities in recent years. But unlike most of these channels, the program content of British Muslim TV has been exclusively funded and made in the UK.

Soon to air on the British Sky digital platform, filming has already been under way to create content that reflects the different voices of the Muslim community in Britain and to embody the tag line “Confidently Muslim, Comfortably British”.

The channel was conceptualized toward the end of last year and has been undergoing planning since the start of 2014, having quickly established substantial “pre-sold advertising” to make the concept into a reality, according to Wasim Akhtar, director of Marketing and Communications. Other members of the senior leadership team include Aamer Naeem, editor-in-chief, Arshad Ashraf, director, and Danny Lacey, creative director of the channel.

Channels for Muslim communities in Britain are not new and have been broadcasting in the UK since 2004. Islam Channel is one of this country’s most prominent and popular free-to-air English language Muslim satellite channels. Akhtar said his channel aims to be different from others by being: “inclusive of all different views and open to all different types of Muslims. So the channel isn’t just about issues of faith, it’s about practical Muslim life in Britain.”