A GLASGOW actor has called for more diversity in the entertainment industry.

 

Omar Raza, 26, believes there needs to be a higher proportion of writers and actors from varied religious and cultural backgrounds to make sure all communities are represented.

Omar, who is from the South Side of Glasgow, is best known for his role as Sanjay Majhu in the BBC Radio Four programme Fags, Mags and Bags, which was written by Sanjeev Kohli.

He has also starred in hit comedy Limmy's Show and a high profile Aldi advert.

However, Omar feels there has been a lack of roles available to him.

He says it is one of the reasons he decided to launch his one-man play, An Evening at 7-8-6 The Coconut Curry.

Omar is helping to break down barriers and prejudice through his portrayal of different characters in the play.

Omar said: "As a Scottish Pakistani Muslim I'm in a minority.

"When I was growing up my only role models were the actors from the sketch show Goodness Gracious Me.

"I thought because they were like me we were in the same club together.

"It's such a shame. I don't think we have enough BMEs (black and minority ethnic communities) in mainstream entertainment.

"It just kind of feels like I'm in limbo, but I suppose that's another reason why I wanted to do this play."

Omar said "in an ideal world" he'd like to see more characters offered to people from minority backgrounds.

He said: "It's about writing a character that answers to the cultural needs and to the religious needs of the character.

"As a Pakistani Muslim I still uphold my needs and my belief system, I know I've got a limit to what I can and can't do.

"I think there's a lack of writers from my background."

Omar, who won a New Horizon award at the Scottish BME Achievement Awards three years ago, said his play was about "humanity, humility and bridging the commonalties with each other".

He said: "I'd like to think it's not just about addressing prejudices within different groups - for example non-Muslims and Muslims.

"But it's also about alleviating the prejudices between Muslims, because there's a lot of that about."

Omar said he faced a lot of pressure growing up because of his interest in the arts, which led him to question who he was.

He said: "Because of that I was beaten up at school and at the mosque.

"I ran away from home when I was 11. It was so bad.

"I just thought these people who are supposed to be an extension of me weren't supporting me and it just made me question my identity so much.

"It wasn't until I was a teenager that my mum told me she named me after the actor Omar Sharif.

"At that moment a lightbulb went in my head and I said: 'Yeah I want to do this, this is for me'."

Omar, who works with Govanhill's Active Life Club, hopes to bring his play to venues later this year.

He said: "I'm dealing with so many issues, I hope people are drawn into that humanity."