Leigh Holmwood
Tuesday December 5, 2006
MediaGuardian.co.uk
Channel 4's alternative Christmas message will this year be given by a Muslim woman wearing a full face veil.
The 10-minute alternative Christmas message will be given by a freelance teacher and lecturer in Islamic studies and the Qur'an, who has worn the niqab for 10 years, named only as Khadija.
Channel 4 said she was born in Zimbabwe but is now a British citizen.
Channel 4 said her message would reflect on the controversy of the past year, with the continuing controversy about the wearing of the face veil sparked by the intervention of former foreign secretary Jack Straw.
This issue remained in the news after a teaching assistant in Yorkshire was eventually sacked after she refused to take off her veil when dealing with children.
The BBC also weighed into the debate when executives said they did not think it would be appropriate for a veiled women to read the news.
"In a year in which issues of religious and racial identity, freedom of expression and social cohesion have dominated the news agenda, Channel 4's alternative Christmas message will be delivered by a veiled Muslim woman," a spokesman said.
"The right to wear religious symbols from niqabs to crucifixes, remarks made by the Pope about Islam and the publication of Danish cartoons depicting the prophet Mohammed have all generated a debate about multiculturalism, secularism and integration. A debate in which British Muslims have played a key role and one that will shape the future of British society."
Channel 4's alternative Christmas message, which will be produced by independent company Chameleon TV, will air at 3pm on Christmas Day against the Queen's traditional broadcast on BBC1 and ITV1.
...I dont get what this muslim women going 2 say about Christmas? I hope this is NOt a trick to undermine Islaam........cuz In Islam we dont believe Christmas.....sending christmas message is like a proving It?.....I dont know......since it has been lebelled wearing *Niqab* as extremist I think this will send positive message to those whom brainwashed by the Media & TV views.......
Mad Zionist Cow...........what u say about that?.........
Muslim Power......
*yawns* who caressssssss
.......U get it Looser?