4.4.2
Representations
Man Like Mobeen - Representations
Man Like Mobeen - Representations
Man Like Mobeen subvert stereotypes of British Muslims, masculinity, and family, and offers more diverse and authentic representation than typical sitcoms.


Technical & audio codes as representation
Technical & audio codes as representation
- Technical codes
- Time-lapse (e.g. waiting outside the mosque) → exaggerates boredom for humour
- Low-angle pan of the mosque → shows its importance in community life
- Audio codes
- Diegetic sound (voices, sirens, dogs) → verisimilitude; everyday Birmingham
- Iconography
- Clothing, market stalls, props → realism; signifiers of a close, self-sufficient community


Representation of ethnicity
Representation of ethnicity
- The show challenges under-/misrepresentation of British Muslims.
- It depicts a working-class British Muslim community with authenticity.
- Mobeen is a British Muslim of South Asian descent, caring for Aqsa after their mother leaves.
- The friendship group (Mobeen, Eight, Nate) shows racial harmony (Black British + Muslim identities).
- Jokes about ethnicity highlight cultural tensions, but through self-aware comedy.
- Later parts of the series address racial profiling and extremism.


Representation of masculinity
Representation of masculinity
- Mobeen challenges traditional masculinity:
- Caring, maternal role; responsible for Aqsa
- Care-worker job; hugs mates; domestic (“highly domesticated”)
- He also has masculine/“roadman” traits: a street reputation, an ex-drug dealer
- Dual identity → stereotype questioned, not reinforced
- Uncles Habib and Shady show traditional older masculinity; mentors but often comic.
- The show depicts comedy through contradictions (e.g. Habib’s double standards).


Representation of femininity
Representation of femininity
- Aqsa is strong, assertive, and rebellious.
- She holds power at home; she was also suspended for fighting.
- She is a mix of stereotype (teen girl tropes) and subversion (dominant, outspoken).
- Khadijah is confident, prepared, and questions Mobeen = a progressive representation of Muslim women.
- She is still partly controlled by her father → tension between tradition and agency.
- Older women are largely absent → a more traditional stereotype.


Representation of family & community
Representation of family & community
- Family is shown in a non-traditional way:
- Mobeen, Aqsa, Nate, Eight as a family unit
- The Muslim community is represented as supportive (uncles trying to help Mobeen).
- Birmingham/Small Heath is shown as culturally diverse, everyday, and lived-in.
- It reflects Gilroy’s idea of cosmopolitan conviviality (cultures coexisting positively).
- Guz Khan aims to give Birmingham a positive, authentic representation.
1Overview
1.1Media Language
1.3Representation
2Component 1: Section A
2.1Magazines - Vogue
2.2Magazines - GQ
2.3Advertising & Marketing
2.4Print Advertisements - Quality Street
2.5Print Advertisements - (2026 Exams) This Girl Can
2.6Print Advertisements - (2027 Exams) NHS 111
2.7Film Posters (Marketing)
2.8Film - No Time To Die
2.9Newspapers
2.11The Guardian
2.12(2028 Exams) The Sun
2.13(2028 Exams) The Guardian
3Component 1: Section B
3.1Video Games
3.2Video Games - Fortnite
3.4Radio
3.5Radio - The Archers
3.6(2027 Exams) Radio - Desert Island Discs
4Component 2: Section A
4.1Television
4.3Sitcom - Modern Family
4.4Sitcom - Man Like Mobeen
4.5(2026 Exams) Luther
5Component 2: Section B
5.1Music Video
5.2Lizzo - 'Good as Hell'
5.3Taylor Swift - 'The Man'
5.4Stormzy - 'Superheroes'
5.5Justin Bieber - 'Intentions'
5.6TLC - 'Waterfalls'
5.7Duran Duran - 'Rio'
5.8Online Media - Lizzo
5.9Online Media - Taylor Swift
5.10Online Media - Stormzy
Jump to other topics
1Overview
1.1Media Language
1.3Representation
2Component 1: Section A
2.1Magazines - Vogue
2.2Magazines - GQ
2.3Advertising & Marketing
2.4Print Advertisements - Quality Street
2.5Print Advertisements - (2026 Exams) This Girl Can
2.6Print Advertisements - (2027 Exams) NHS 111
2.7Film Posters (Marketing)
2.8Film - No Time To Die
2.9Newspapers
2.11The Guardian
2.12(2028 Exams) The Sun
2.13(2028 Exams) The Guardian
3Component 1: Section B
3.1Video Games
3.2Video Games - Fortnite
3.4Radio
3.5Radio - The Archers
3.6(2027 Exams) Radio - Desert Island Discs
4Component 2: Section A
4.1Television
4.3Sitcom - Modern Family
4.4Sitcom - Man Like Mobeen
4.5(2026 Exams) Luther
5Component 2: Section B
5.1Music Video
5.2Lizzo - 'Good as Hell'
5.3Taylor Swift - 'The Man'
5.4Stormzy - 'Superheroes'
5.5Justin Bieber - 'Intentions'
5.6TLC - 'Waterfalls'
5.7Duran Duran - 'Rio'
5.8Online Media - Lizzo
5.9Online Media - Taylor Swift
5.10Online Media - Stormzy
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