Articles 
Islam, Christianity and the Environment
A new book that challenges and clarifies the ethical view of religion and the environment More ...
Appeal from the Coptic Orthodox Church
Statement issued by HG Bishop Angaelos More ...
Launch of Faith Matters Report on the English Defence League
This report asks whether the EDL poses a threat to fairness and equality. More ...
Launch of Faith Leadership Through Chaplaincy Report
A useful contribution More ...
Statement on Halal meat
Christian Muslim Forum, Dec 2010 More ...
Recognition of Christian and Muslim festivals
A healthy approach More ...
Above Us and Between Us...
CTBI Resource on 'A Common Word ...' More ...
'Muslims ask, Christians answer'
by Revd Dr Christian Troll SJ More ...
A Guide to Etiquette for Christians and Muslims
Important do's and don'ts More ...
RSS Feed for latest articles

Recognition of Christian and Muslim festivals

Every year there are stories of Christmas being 'banned', and this year is no different ...
Already there have been a few stories attracting the familiar words 'political correctness gone mad!' In fact the only people who ever succeeded in banning Christmas, but only briefly, were the Puritans. We take this opportunity to share some other little-known facts about Christmas, Christians and Muslims:
  • 'Winterval' was not intended as a replacement for Christmas
  • Christians celebrating Christmas do not offend people of other faiths
  • Many, many Muslims in this country were educated at Christian (mostly Church of England) schools in this country or elsewhere
  • Muslims are baffled when they read and hear that Christmas is being “banned” and replaced with something else to avoid offending Muslims
  • Both Christians and Muslims in the UK are concerned that a key religious festival is overly commercialised
Because of the level of concern about the place of Christmas in our secular, and also multi-faith, society the Christian Muslim Forum produced this 'Christmas statement' in 2006. The statement also includes an open letter from Shaykh Ibrahim Mogra, President of the Forum and Chair of the Masjid (mosque) and Community Affairs committee of the Muslim Council of Britain. in 2006. The statement also includes an open letter from Shaykh Ibrahim Mogra, President of the Forum and Chair of the Masjid (mosque) and Community Affairs committee of the the Muslim Council of Britain.