Rally to keep spirit of Christmas alive
By Jonathan Petre, Religion Correspondent
Last Updated: 6:20am GMT 05/11/2007

Telegraph.co.uk

An influential coalition of Christian and Muslim leaders defended Christmas yesterday after a Labour think-tank suggested that it be downgraded to improve community relations.

Members of both faiths found it offensive when people downplayed the festival in the mistaken belief it could upset minorities, the Christian Muslim Forum said.

The vast majority of Britons want to preserve the country's Christian heritage, says the Rt Rev David Gillett, joint forum president and the Bishop of Bolton.

A controversial report by the Institute of Public Policy Research argues that, while it might be difficult to ban Christmas entirely, it should only be celebrated if other religious groups' festivals are given similar prominence in order to treat all communities equally.

The forum had repeatedly emphasised the need for all religious traditions to be accorded their rightful place, said Bishop Gillett.

Sheikh Ibrahim Mogra, a Leicester imam and joint head of the forum's community and public affairs, said: "We would not be happy with the downplaying of any festival. We don't believe that equality is achieved by downgrading anyone."

There might be one or two Muslims who object to Christmas but the vast majority want religion in all its forms to be celebrated, he says.

There is growing concern among faiths that secularists are attempting to push religion to the margins of public life.

Politicians increasingly avoid Christmas cards with a religious theme and town halls often try to airbrush Christianity out of Christmas.

In 1998, Birmingham renamed its celebration Winterval and, in 2001, Luton created a Harry Potter-themed event called Luminos.