Aleem maqbool biography of christopher

By Lianne Kolirin

The BBC’s new Religion Editor has expressed his hopes for the role, saying he is “pushing at an open door” when it comes to pitching faith-based news stories. 

Aleem Maqbool, who took up his role in April,  told the fourth annual Religion Media Festival on Monday that he is confident faith-based stories will remain part of the network’s news agenda. 

Maqbool, who succeeds Martin Bashir after he left the role a year ago, told the audience at north London’s JW3 centre: “There’s this sense outside the BBC that some editors are nervous about religion and faith stories.

I haven’t found that. 

“I have found that there’s a recognition that we need to report on those areas. It may be a honeymoon period, but I feel like I’m pushing at an open door. There’s nobody saying ‘no you can’t do that’.”

Announcing his appointment, the BBC said Maqbool would “take the lead on the BBC’s expert analysis