Cancelling Christmas
According to the Equality and Human Rights Commission, every year, a local authority or public body like a school or college falls prey to the accusation of “cancelling Christmas” and PC run amok. The resulting media furore, say the Commission, is now a regular ritual of the holiday season itself.
Indeed, a couple of weeks ago one broadcaster made a real splash about schools “banning” nativity plays for fear of offending people from other religions. Not surprisingly, outraged viewers contacted the station condemning political correctness while others laid the blame at different faiths.
In response to such reporting, the Commission has joined with high profile faith leaders to claim Christmas back. In a joint statement, senior figures from the Hindu, Sikh and Muslim communities have joined with the Commission to say: Let’s stop being silly about a Christian Christmas.
Trevor Phillips, Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, said last week,”A lot of these stories about Christmas are the usual silly season stuff. But I can’t help feeling there’s sometimes an underlying agenda to use this great holiday to fuel community tension. That’s why I asked leaders in different religious communities to join me in saying: It’s time to stop being daft about Christmas. It’s fine to celebrate and it’s fine for Christ to be the star of the show.”
Anil Bhanot, General Secretary, Hindu Council UK said, “Hindus celebrate Christmas too. It’s a great holiday for everyone living in Britain. We would like Christians to continue to carry Jesus’ message of love. Barring the faiths of others does not fit in with the Hindu religion.”
Dr Indarjit Singh, Director, Network of Sikh Organisations UK said, “Every year I am asked, ‘do I object to the celebration of Christmas?’ It’s an absurd question. As ever, my family and I will send out our Christmas cards to our Christian friends and others. In the spirit of Christmas, we in the Singh family will, as usual, force ourselves to have extra turkey, Christmas pudding and mince pies, the lot – all in the cause of inter-faith harmony. No one can say Sikhs don’t go the extra mile!”
Shayk Ibrahim Mogra, Chair of the Inter Faith Relations Committee, Muslim Council of Britain said, “To suggest celebrating Christmas and having decorations offends Muslims is absurd. Why should Christmas not be celebrated openly and wholeheartedly in our country when a vast majority of people are Christians? Why can’t we have more nativity scenes in Britain? It would be wonderful to show my children what Jesus means to Christians and to learn the different beliefs we all hold.”
