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MUSLIMS WISH EVERYONE A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS
(FRIDAY DECEMBER 15) MEMBERS of the town's Muslim population are urging those behind the Christmas lights to make changes next year to the 'Season's Greetings' banners.
They are calling for the lights to read 'Merry Christmas' to reflect the fact it is the celebration of a Christian festival.
Although Aylesbury Vale District Council, which is responsible for the town's decorations, says that it is not a decision based on political correctness, many people mistakenly assume that it is.
And it is for this reason that many members of the Muslim community would like a change next year.
An extra 6,000 was spent on the lights this year, and many people have praised the council for its festive goodwill, with Kingsbury being a particular highlight.
In the High Street, the lights read, 'Season's Greetings from Aylesbury Vale District Council,' with Aylesbury Town Council also copying the format.
In Kingsbury the new lights declare, 'Aylesbury Vale- A Great Place to Grow' and only Friars Square Shopping Centre displays 'Merry Christmas.'
But shoppers who spoke to The Bucks Herald said they would prefer the council's greetings to reflect the religious festival of Christmas, with one labelling 'Season's Greetings' as 'cold.'
Recently, a national campaign by a coalition of Christian and Muslim leaders was launched to save the traditions of Christmas from the interference of politically correct councils.
The Christian-Muslim Forum sent out letters to town halls demanding an end to the secularisation of Christmas, which they say Muslims get unfairly blamed for.
And some people in Aylesbury believe political correctness was responsible for the council's message, a claim AVDC strongly deny, adding that the same lights have been hung-up for many years without complaint.
But Ayyaz Mahmood said: "We would love to have 'Merry Christmas.' Muslims respect all religions and this is a very holy time for us as well. Islam and Christianity have close links with one another."
Kim Pinnock believed 'Merry Christmas' should be put up, and that political correctness had gone 'too far'.
Helen Spratley thought that 'Merry Christmas' was a greeting that everybody understood, whilst Agnieszka Mydlo believed nobody would be offended by it.
Iram Khan remarked that Muslims enjoyed the Christmas lights, especially children, and no-one in Aylesbury would take issue with 'Merry Christmas.'
Former Mayor of Aylesbury, Cllr Raj Khan, said he agreed with the sentiments of the shoppers.
"There's nothing wrong with having 'Merry Christmas.' I do not believe for one moment that the Muslim community in any shape or form would find it offensive, in fact, to the contrary. I would urge that the lights be examined. I want to see a very very bright 'Christmas' in this town."
And the rector of St Mary's Church in Aylesbury, The Rev Shane Wood, also agreed that we should display the message.
He said: "I would endorse that view with the caveat that we also recognise other festivals like Diwali and Eid, and they can put up their own displays in the town."
Valerie Baxter, AVDC cabinet member for asset management, said: "Nothing has been done purposely, and most of the lights have been up for years. Never ever once has political correctness been mentioned to me. I think the town looks great this year, we have got more lights than last year and Kingsbury looks delightful. There would be no reason we would not put up Merry Christmas and if we had more money then perhaps we would."
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Weather for Aylesbury
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 21 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: East
