Christmas References Banned in Oxford
References to Christmas were banned in Oxford and Christmas festivities renamed "Winter Light celebrations" to be "more inclusive. Protests come from Christians, Muslims, and Jews.
Official Christmas celebrations were banned in Oxford by a council-owned charity. Following an advice by the British charity Oxford Inspires, which is responsible for culture in the city, Christmas celebrations were banned in Oxford. Instead, Winter Light celebrations would take place to be "more inclusive". Christian protests were joined by Sabir Hussain Mirza, chairman of the Muslim Council of Oxford, who said: "I am really upset about this. Christians, Muslims and other religions all look forward to Christmas." Rabbi Eli Bracknell, who teaches at the Jewish Educational Centre in the city, said: "It is important to maintain a traditional British Christmas. Anything that waters down traditional culture and Christianity in the UK is not positive for the British identity." Full story: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/3367390/Christmas-banned-in-Oxford-by-council-owned-charity.htmlIn 2011, Oxford seems to have come back to the use of references to Christmas and is mentions “Christmas Lights” on its website (http://www.oxford.gov.uk/PageRender/decN/CelebrateOxfordsChristmasLightNightFriday26November.news)