MultiChoice launches Islam Channel on DStv.

The channel offers choice news and current affairs programmes, children and women's programmes, advice on health and legal issues, as well as Quran recitals in Arabic with English subtitles, Islamic values and doctrine

Islam Channel's spokesperson in Africa, Dr Feroz Bham, said the channel would provide Muslim and non-Muslim viewers with inspirational, informative and educational programmes, accessible to a larger audience, as it is broadcast in English.

"The Islam Channel will be broadcast from our London headquarters 24/7, with provision for local content being our long-term goal," said Bham.

The channel originally launched in the UK on Sky TV in 1994, and is claimed to already be a success in the Middle East, Europe and North Africa.

The UK CEO of the channel, Mohamed Ali Harrath added: "The Islam Channel aims to appeal to both Muslims and non-Muslims with its high-quality programmes. We believe the addition of the Islam Channel will provide a choice of high quality programmes that are informative and compelling."

MultiChoice also announced that the Arabic IQRAA channel will no longer be broadcast on DStv from 31 May 2009. It will be replaced by the English Islamic channel, which will have greater appeal, due to the fact that the channel is broadcast in English, and the language understood by a greater number of viewers

Islam Channel will be broadcast on DStv Channel 347 on all bouquets.