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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)
Here's a sample of the latest views published. You can click view all to read all views that readers have sent in.
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
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