London, June 22 : The BBC's appointment of a Muslim head for its Channel 4 religious and ethical output, is being singled out for criticism by the members of General Synod, the parliament of the Church of England.

Members have complained to the BBC about the appointment of Aaqil Ahmed, claiming it to be a `worrying' decision that could undermine BBC's coverage of Cristianity.

Ahmed will be the first Muslim and only the second non-Christian in the role.

"Many of the Channel 4 programmes concerned with Christianity, in contrast to those featuring other faiths, seem to be of a sensationalist or unduly critical nature," the Telegraph quoted Nigel Holmes, a Synod member, as saying.

"From this point of view it is worrying that the Channel 4 religion and multicultural commissioning editor, Aaqil Ahmed, who is a Muslim, is soon to be responsible for all the religious output from the BBC," he added.

In the midst of complaints that Christians are now only portrayed as freaks, Anglicans will now vote on a motion condemning the decline of religious programming on the channel.

The motion is expected to attract the support of senior bishops when it is debated by the Synod next month.

Meanwhile, a BBC spokesman said that the corporation had an unequivocal commitment to religious broadcasting and said that Christians, as the majority UK faith, would remain its central audience. (ANI)