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Channel 4's alternative Christmas message to feature broadcaster in veil
Last updated at 15:22pm on 05.12.06
Merry alternative Christmas from C4: Khadija in the full niqab
Channel 4 is to reignite controversy over the wearing of the veil - by featuring a Muslim woman in full niqab giving the broadcaster's alternative Christmas message.
The woman, today named only as Khadija and said to be a lecturer in Islamic studies, will go head-to-head with the Queen when she gives her annual speech to the nation on 25 December.
Producers are said to have "discovered" her after a month-long search for a suitable candidate.
A spokesman for the channel added: "We felt it fitting that Channel 4's alternative Christmas message should be given by a Muslim woman in a year when issues of religious and racial identity and freedom of expression have dominated the news agenda.
"Khadija has a wide range of interesting views about life as a British Muslim woman"
Khadija - who is in her early thirties and from the Midlands - caught TV bosses' attention for "being articulate, engaging and interesting".
She is due to record the speech within the coming fortnight and is expected to reflect on the past year.
While the channel is refusing to give more specific details of her background for fear that she will be inundated with interview requests, they said she was born in Zimbabwe, is a British citizen and has been wearing the full niqab - which covers everything but the eyes - for ten years.
The decision to broadcast such a contentious alternative comes after several years during which Channel 4 has screened light-hearted, jokey messages by celebrities such as Jamie Oliver and Sharon Osbourne.
The last time a serious issue was tackled was in 2001, when World Trade Centre survivor Genelle Guzman gave the speech.
Reader views (19)
First, Muslims are vilified because they are seen to be anti-British and non integrated. But when a Muslim woman makes an effort to take part in British customs - it is rejected by the British public and especially its Christian following.
Muslims are always under attack in the media no matter how much they try - they are damned if they do, and damned if they don't!
- M Kadir, Luton
So will C4 be scheduling a Christian alternative message on the Muslim festival of Eid ul-Fitr?
- Martyn Parry, Macclesfield UK
The true face of Britain is really starting to show now isn't it.
You all cried that the veil (Niqab) was an impediment to integration.
But look what happens when a Muslim women in a veil (Niqab) wants to integrate on Christmas day - To wish you all a Merry Christmas. You don't want to see her or hear her! Who are the real Seperatists in Britain?
Nobody cared when Ali-G said his message - A comedy act based on a guy who considers women "Bitches & hoe's" and basically talks filth.
Muslims are apart of British Society!
Bravo channel 4 - why shouldn't Muslims be allowed to wish Christians Merry Christmas - There's no law against it.
And to my Sister Khadijah - Well Done! You Go Girl!
- Iris, Birmingham UK
You have got to be joking! What is this country becoming?
- Michael George Tate, Wallasey Wirral
On Christmas day, if they had wanted a multi denominational message alternative, they could have put a panel of different religions broadcasting a message of hope, harmony and tolerance. Surely, a Muslim woman wearing Hijab could have sat next to a Jewish woman, a Sikh, a Hindu, a Buddist, etc.
I am sure that this lady is articulate and has something to contribute to our society, so have hundred of muslim women wearing hijabs or not.
So, why not give these a chance to show their willingness to be tolerant and make a worthy contribution? The veil is offensive to the majority of women in UK. Television is based on visual communication, this lady sh ould have been broadcasted on radio!
This kind of stunt will not go down well and is ill-conceived.
- Natasha, London
This is really ridiculous. Christmas = a Christian 'Family' day. Leave politics alone for one day of the year. How about C4 let a Christian make a speech during the Muslim's special day?
All C4 is doing is helping create more animosity between two religions who aren't exactly the best of friends.
- Perera, London
Sick, sick, sick.
- Normal, Cardiff UK
I'm rather disappointed that C4 have not appointed someone from their impending series of programmes about masturbation to give the speech.
- Keith, West Smithfield
Etano, I suggest you widen your reading to improve your sources of information. Christianity is not banned in Egypt, however what do you think the Copts go through in order to practice their faith? For all intents and purposes, Christianity is banned, as you'd have to be insane to be identified as Christian in Egypt.
This so called "Christmas message" is nothing more than an attempt by Channel 4 to fish for viewers. How about letting a Christian address Muslims on TV, in order to deliver an Eid ul-Fitr speech? Or better yet, how about letting the average practicing Christian, not the Queen or some pompous bishop deliver a Christmas message? Guess that'll never happen in this country.
- Wee-Jin Goh, Oxford, UK
How about a broadcast from Dawn French as the Vicar of Dibley on Al Jazeera during Ramadan? She's articulate, engaging and interesting. Fair exchange, don't you think?
- Phil, London
I never watch the queen’s speech, it’s completely boring.
I’d watch this though.
Let’s see what the young lady has got to say.
- Clive Rosenberg, London
This type of coverall is an ideal outfit for a robbery. I'm quite surprised the criminal fraternity hasn't used this to rob a Bank or a Building Society. Just how would the police be expected to see who is who with such Black coveralls being so commonly seen on our streets today? They should be banned full stop, as this dress wear is also very intimidating.
- Carl Barron, Dorset
Eddie Murphy!
- Haskey, London SE1
Kathy, I suggest you widen your reading to improve your sources of information. Christianity is not banned in Egypt, what religion do you think the Copts are?
In fact when the Muslims took charge of Jerusalem the different Christian sects entrusted the keys of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to them due to their justice. The tradition continues to this day
- Etano Mbanaga, London
Channel 4 seem to forget that this is a Christian country and Christmas is a Christian, religious festival. Would we be allowed on Islamic TV giving a Christian speech during Ramadam? I think not!
It's time this country and it's people stood up to be counted and stopped allowing every other faith and culture to smother our own by being so polite and politically correct. If Muslims don't like our faith. culture and beliefs, then they should be living in a country that is purely Muslim, like Iraq, Iran, Egypt, to name but a few. Christianity is illegal in Egypt and personally I think it's about time we made Islam illegal over here.
- Kathy, London
How very liberal middle England of C4 to offer us this alternative message. Hope their sponsors won't mind a very low viewing figure.
- Amibovvered, Essex
I presume Channel 4 have started their Christmas parties a bit early this year and are still hungover and have confused this slot with the usual April 1st comical broadcast. If not then political correctness has finally taken over at C4. What a shame.
- Mike, Southampton
This should do wonders for racial harmony and give the majority population warm feelings towards Muslims. I wonder why Channel 4 often seems to have an agenda to stir up antipathy towards different societal groups, does it think conflict will be good television ?
- Tom, Leeds England
Force feeding a Christian Country this sort of politically correct tripe requires a simple response. Boycott the broadcast. Zero viewers equal no advertising revenue equal end to tokenist PC drivel.
- James Ritchie, London, UK.
