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ACLU Muslims demand Christmas be renamed
EFL
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 festus "festive" as a possible replacement. And a Queensland Jewish leader Abe Foxman 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. 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." 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."
"Yeah. You acknowlege my identity and respect for my culture, I acknowlege my identity and respect for my culture. It's just that easy."
He expected his plan would insult some people, but urged a "step-by-step" approach.
"First we come for the Jooos..."
"A word like Festive is a good word but the community should make an effort to come up with an alternative to Christmas."
How about something made up from whole cloth by a convicted felon. Oh, wait, that's Kwanzaa, already done.
"Schools will take a leading role in terms of political correctness. Boy, do they. The younger generation will grow up and say 'it's not fair'."
Posted by: Jackal 2005-12-04
http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=136541