Groening defends Simpsons over Muslim plot

'The Simpsons' creator Matt Groening has defended a controversial storyline in the comedy cartoon which sees Homer Simpson accuse his Muslim neighbours of terrorism.

In a forthcoming episode of the long-running show, dad Homer Simpson convinces friends that a Middle Eastern family is plotting to blow up a shopping mall.

But he is proved wrong when it turns out the family's father, Amid, works in demolition.

When the Simpsons have their Muslim neighbours over for dinner, Homer shows his ignorance of Islam, calling Allah "Oliver" and holy book The Koran "The Corona".

A spokesperson for Britain's The Islamic Cultural Centre & The London Central Mosque slammed the episode, telling UK newspaper the Daily Star: "I hope Muslims take no notice of the show."

But Groening has come out in defence of the episode, saying: "Cartoons deal in stereotypes. We try to be sensitive."

It is not the first time the show has been mired in controversy, with Simpsons bosses recently criticised for a storyline which implied America's Republican party was involved in a vote-rigging scandal at the 2008 presidential election.