U.K.: BANNING CHRISTMAS BECAUSE OF MOSLEM SENSIBILITIES

Moves to ban Christmas 'may bring backlash for Muslims'

Councils and firms that "ban" Christmas because it could offend other faiths are provoking an anti-Muslim backlash, religious leaders have warned.

The Bishop of Bolton hit out at moves to force staff to wish customers "season's greetings" rather than a "merry Christmas".

The Rt Rev David Gillett has jointly signed a letter from an inter-faith group urging town halls not to drop Christian symbolism from this year's festivities.The bishop chairs the Christian Muslim Forum, set up by the Archbishop of Canterbury and Prime Minister Tony Blair this year to help and encourage the faiths to live and work together in harmony.

The Forum, vice-chaired by Dr Ataullah Siddiqui, has now written to local authorities setting out its fears that politically-correct initiatives could backfire.It follows criticism of Christmas postage stamps picturing Santa rather than Jesus and official Government cards with no mention of Christmas.Councils have also faced criticism for re-naming street light displays.

Most people were "upset by the secularisation" of Christmas, the bishop said, but some falsely laid the blame with Muslims, risking a backlash.

He said: "Our Muslim colleagues have said very definitely it does not offend them and, in fact, they find it causes a backlash on their community if they are thought to be saying something they are not saying."I heard only yesterday that a big commercial concern had asked its staff not to wish people a 'merry Christmas' but simply 'seasons' greetings' because it may offend people.

He singled out his own local authority of Bolton for praise – pointing out that it held annual celebrations of Easter, Eid and Diwali at its town hall.

"We want to encourage the right of all religious communities to celebrate their religious festivals."

The Forum issued a statement last month giving a stark warning that far-right extremism could be fanned.

The new letter is designed to highlight that message.

The latest criticisms come in the wake of a warning from the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, of a "systematic erosion" of Christianity in public life.

Pertinent Links:

1) Moves to ban Christmas 'may bring backlash for Muslims'