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December 16, 2006

UK: Veiled Muslim With No Christmas Message

At the start of the month, Channel 4 announced that while viewers of other terrestrial British TV stations would be seeing the Queen's traditional Christmas Speech, they would be showing a veiled Muslim. The woman, Khadija (pictured) was to have spoken on the issue of veil wearing and being a Muslim.

Channel 4 had eagerly announced in a publicity statement that: "The right to wear religious symbols from niqabs to crucifixes, remarks made by the Pope about Islam and the publication of 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."

They had apparently picked on Khadija to front their "alternative" Christmas message slot because of comments she had made subsequent to those of former former foreign secretary Jack Straw. He had written on October 5 that he found full face-veils hindered communication, were an obstacle to integration and personally made him uncomfortable.

Khadija Ravat, who is in her 30s, is an assistant teacher in Leicester, and was born in Zimbabwe. She appears to have been used by the station to promote their own agenda, rather than her own. Every year, the channel presents "alternative" figures to give their speech to the nation.

Khadija has decided to withdraw from presenting the Christmas message, states the Telegraph today. On Friday, Khadija haad talks with senior figures at Channel 4, and decided to step down.

In an official statement, she announced: "My initial thoughts about the programme were that it would be a fantastic opportunity to do something positive and to convey a warm message for everyone to share. However, after careful consideration, I have decided not to appear on the programme. I have no doubt that Channel 4 will continue with its inquiring and sensitive approach on issues relating to Muslims in Britain."

Khadija is a part-time assistant at the al-Aqsa Primary School in Leiceser. This school is headed by Ibrahim Hewitt, aged 50, who is also chairman of the charity Interpal, which has been designated by the US Treasury as a terrorist entity.

Hewitt said: "I have known her for a long time, and she is a very sincere person. Nobody at the school has raised any objections - indeed, parents have come to me and said they were very happy she was going to do it. But some people think she is trying to upstage the Queen, which is certainly not the case. But I think she feels it would rub people up the wrong way."

Sources close to Channel 4 have suggested that Khadija has been pressured by members of her own religious community not to appear.

Channel 4 still intends to find a Muslim woman to present the alternative Christmas message.

Posted by Giraldus Cambrensis at December 16, 2006 7:32 AM

Comments

Posted by: Celsius at December 16, 2006 1:02 PM

Posted by: Celsius at December 16, 2006 1:06 PM

Posted by: pigtails not veils at December 17, 2006 2:35 AM

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