Top Gear Stars Attract Criticism Over Burka Scene

Top Gear is no stranger to controversy, but this time it might turn into religious outrage, after two of the show’s presenters dressing up in burkas on the Boxing Day special. Clarkson, 50, and Richard Hammond, 41, wore the veils to cheer up co-presenter James May, 47. They were visiting him in hospital after he hit his head on some rocks in the Syrian desert. But their little joke resulted in strong criticism from Muslims for mocking their religion.

“The burka is a symbol of our religion and people should not make jokes about it in any way. It would have been equally bad even if they’d not been in a country mainly populated by Muslims,” said conservative Islamic Anjem Choudary.

In the Boxing Day show, which was watched by 6.6 million viewers, the presenters drove from Iraq to Bethlehem, via Turkey, Syria and Jordan. At times all three of them wore the niqab, an Islamic veil where all but the eyes are covered. Clarkson had the idea to dress in a niqab in order to drive in disguise as they swapped the desert for a proper road.

In Syria, the trio got their cars stuck in the sand and while Clarkson was trying to tow Hammond out. May, who was holding the rope between the two cars, was knocked to the ground, resulting in a small cut to his head. He was then rushed to the hospital, while Clarkson and Hammond carried on with their journey, in typical Top Gear fashion.

In July this year Mr. Clarkson sparked complaints from the Muslim community saying he had seen a woman of Muslim religion wearing a g-string under her burka.