Mum’s dishing out samosas, Dad’s already snoring on the sofa after Iftar, and you? You are just trying to find something decent to watch that isn’t some tragic, stereotype-riddled nonsense. Why is every Muslim on TV either blowing something up, being oppressed, or delivering some deep, poetic monologue? Can’t we just have a normal, entertaining story?
That’s why we need to talk about the Riz Test. Riz Ahmed is a brilliant actor and musician but he has also contributed significantly to the conversations around Muslim representation in mainstream media—or rather, the lack of it—and has actively been working to change that. Inspired by his 2017 speech in the House of Commons, the Riz Test is five criteria used to measure how Muslims are portrayed in films and television.
What Is the Riz Test?
The Riz Test asks one simple question: If a show or movie has a Muslim character, are they…
Talking about, the victim of, or the perpetrator of terrorism?
Presented as irrationally angry?
Presented as superstitious, culturally backwards, or anti-modern?
Presented as a threat to a Western way of life?
If male, is he misogynistic? Or if female, is she oppressed by her male counterparts?
If ANY of these are true, the film/show fails the test. And unfortunately, many do.
But some don’t—and those are the stories worth watching.
Ramadan TV: The Best Stories to Watch
So, let’s talk about Ramadan stories on screen—because when done right, they can be fun, emotional, and even hilarious. The best ones pass the Riz Test and show Muslims as actual people, not just walking stereotypes.
Shows & Films That Pass the Riz Test
1.Crashing Eid (2023) – A four part romantic comedy about an independent British-Saudi woman introducing her (extremely charming) Pakistani fiancé to her Saudi family during Eid. It’s full of culture clashes, humour, and heartwarming moments.
2.American Eid (2021) – A Disney+ short film about a young Pakistani Muslim girl in America trying to make Eid a public holiday at school. It’s a charming, heartfelt story about identity and belonging.
3. Barakah Meets Barakah (2016) – A Saudi rom-com following a civil servant and a social media star navigating love in modern Saudi Arabia. Light-hearted, funny, and refreshingly different.
4. Ramy (2019–Present) – A dramedy about a young Muslim-American trying to balance faith, family, and life in New Jersey. It’s one of the few mainstream shows that explores Ramadan and Eid in a relatable way.
5. The Cook Up with Adam Liaw – Eid Special – A cooking show episode celebrating Eid with delicious dishes from different Muslim cultures. Perfect for getting meal inspiration while fasting.
Jeeto Pakistan may be the nation’s biggest unifier (Fahad Mustafa is a superstar that wins us over every evening with his easy charm), but there’s something special about discovering stories from across the Muslim world. A broader perspective on religion and culture doesn’t just help shatter tired stereotypes—it also shows the universal experiences of fasting, family, and faith
