JohnCenaFan28
11-03-2008, 09:53 PM
Council chiefs in Oxford have renamed the town's Christmas lights a “winter light festival” to avoid offending Muslims.
But the idea has been criticised by everyone - including local Muslims, reports The Sun.
Oxford council is also scrapping the traditional tree in favour of a giant arrangement of lanterns made to look like the solar system.
Sabir Hussain Mirza, chairman of the Muslim Council of Oxford, said: "I'm really upset about this. Christians, Muslims and other religions all look forward to Christmas."
Rabbi Eli Bracknell of the local Jewish Educational Centre, said: "It's important to maintain a traditional British Christmas."
And Rev James Grote, of the John Bunyan Baptist Church, added: "People are not offended by hearing each other’s faiths."
Deputy city council leader Ed Turner said the new lights name will embrace all religious denominations.
He added: "Several festivals take place at this time of year so this is a way of celebrating them all at the one time. Even if the lights are called something else, to me they will be Christmas lights."
-Nova
But the idea has been criticised by everyone - including local Muslims, reports The Sun.
Oxford council is also scrapping the traditional tree in favour of a giant arrangement of lanterns made to look like the solar system.
Sabir Hussain Mirza, chairman of the Muslim Council of Oxford, said: "I'm really upset about this. Christians, Muslims and other religions all look forward to Christmas."
Rabbi Eli Bracknell of the local Jewish Educational Centre, said: "It's important to maintain a traditional British Christmas."
And Rev James Grote, of the John Bunyan Baptist Church, added: "People are not offended by hearing each other’s faiths."
Deputy city council leader Ed Turner said the new lights name will embrace all religious denominations.
He added: "Several festivals take place at this time of year so this is a way of celebrating them all at the one time. Even if the lights are called something else, to me they will be Christmas lights."
-Nova