U.K. Broadcaster Channel 4 Cancels Screening of Film Questioning Islam's Origins

2:06 AM PDT 9/12/2012 by THR Staff

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The network calls off the event at its London headquarters citing security fears amid complaints about documentary "Islam: The Untold Story."

LONDON - Channel 4 has cited concerns over security as the reason for canceling a planned screening at its headquarters this week of a documentary film questioning the origins of Islam, according to the Guardian.

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Islam: The Untold Story, which claimed there was little written contemporary evidence about the origin of the religion, sparked more than 1,000 complaints to Channel 4 and the media regulator after it was broadcast two weeks ago.

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Its presenter, the historian Tom Holland, was also the focus of substantial criticism, as well as abuse, on Twitter.

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

A Metropolitan police spokesperson said the force had no knowledge of the event or the decision to cancel it.

However, sources close to the channel said the screening had been cancelled after advice was taken from "relevant security authorities," the Guardian reported.