The Daily Star have had a whinge about lights celebrating Eid being up alongside Christmas ones, even though Eid was over and done with last week. Council bosses in Rochdale are reportedly keeping them up to display diversity.
To be honest, as a Muslim I'd be slightly embarrassed to see them up there in my city. Still, I don't think it's cause for headline news of the "CHRISTMAS IS HIJACKED BY MUSLIMS AND HINDUS" variety.
Islamophobia Watch then manage to expand the Daily Star's above picture to show this:
The Star of David is up no doubt with Hanukkah falling 2-9 December. But if the lights are still up on 11 December, are Jews going to be accused of hijacking Christmas by the Daily Star? Of course not, and nor should they. But it's the latest example of how discourse about Muslims in the tabloid press would not be acceptable about other groups. Hope not Hate have started a campaign against the Daily Star today.
Amusingly, even the Daily Star describe their stories as "News" with inverted commas (click image on right and look at red section at the bottom).
We're probably now in for the tabloid season of badwill stories about how Muslims are offended by Christmas and want to take it over. Father Christmas to be renamed Abu Eid, red suit to be swapped for a long black robe, but long beard to be maintained. And everyone to tuck into Turkey that has been "ritually slaughtered" but not electrocuted.
May I take this opportunity to wish everyone Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah!
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