December 5, 2005

Aussie Muslims want Christmas Renamed

Just a few weeks ago, Australian authorities foiled a major terrorist plot, arresting 17 Islamists in Sydney and Melbourne and preventing what could have been a real catastrophe (chemicals were seized in the raids). Considering this, you'd think that Australia's Islamists might want to keep a low profile these days. But alas, that's not to be--in fact, some of them have put forth a proposal to rename Christmas. So happy "Festive!" Here's more, from The Sunday Mail:

RELIGIOUS groups have launched an attack on Christmas - calling for it to be renamed and toned down.

A leading Islamic body says the use of the term "Christmas" is politically incorrect because it excludes too many people in multicultural Australia.

The Forum on Australia's Islamic Relations wants a community debate to find an alternative - suggesting the word "festive" as a possible replacement.

And a Queensland Jewish leader has called for an end to the "automatic imposition" of Christmas on the community, saying the season has been reduced to a "shopping festival". The attacks have outraged Christian churches, family groups and civic leaders. Even other Muslim groups have slammed the call.

Islamic Council of Queensland president Abdul Jalal said Muslims have "no right" to question what Christians called their religious festival.

Premier Peter Beattie said Christmas was an important celebration that should "stay put". He said: "Christians should be able to celebrate the festivities as Christmas."

Brisbane Anglican Archbishop Phillip Aspinall said Christmas should continue to be celebrated as a "very important" date on the Christian calendar.

Queensland Churches Together - representing 11 denominations including Catholic, Anglican and Uniting churches - described the name-change proposal as "absurd".

And Family Council of Queensland president Alan Baker described the plans as "impertinent and intolerant".

He said: "No one is suggesting that other religions change the name of their celebrations, such as Ramadan for Muslims or Hanukkah for Jews."

Queensland local councils scoffed at suggestions they shun Christmas.

Townsville Mayor Tony Mooney said: "Christmas is not politically incorrect and there is only a small group in the population that believe it is - and they're nuts."

Caboolture Shire Council Mayor Joy Leishman said the call to rename Christmas was ridiculous.

But the Islamic-relations forum director, Kuranda Seyit, told The Sunday Mail it was time for Australia to fall in line with places such as the UK, where councils have renamed Christmas "Winterval" and replaced references to Christmas on signage with the words "Festive" and "Winter".

"Australia is now so diverse and there are so many cultures and festivities, we need to acknowledge the need to be inclusive of our identity."

He expected his plan would insult some people, but urged a "step-by-step" approach.

"A word like Festive is a good word but the community should make an effort to come up with an alternative to Christmas. Schools will take a leading role in terms of political correctness. The younger generation will grow up and say 'it's not fair'."

Queensland's Jewish Board of Deputies president David Paratz said the extent of Christmas celebrations and partying had got out of hand - as had the commercialism surrounding the festival. Christmas was considered just a "shopping festival" by many people, he said.

"It can't be assumed everyone is a Christian. People should not be faced with the automatic imposition of Christmas."

Yes everyone, Happy Festive! Why not just call it Festivus? At least Seinfeld doesn't want to impose Islamic law on us (although that Frank Costanza can be pretty nasty sometimes).

EMail Erick Stakelbeck With Your Comments ...