OTHER faiths are not offended by Christians celebrating Christmas, according to Portsmouth’s interfaith co-ordinator.

Taki Jaffer, who is a Muslim, has hit out at politically-correct bureaucrats who ban the word ‘Christmas’ for fear of offending those of other faiths. He told Anglican worshippers that he’ll be sending and receiving Christmas cards, and his family will be exchanging presents over the festive period.

Writing in the Pompey Chimes, the newspaper of the Anglican diocese of Portsmouth, he said Muslims were happy to mark the birth of Jesus, who is considered to be a prophet in the Islamic faith. Around 60 Muslims and Christians marked Jesus’s birth together at a joint celebration at Portsmouth’s Anglican cathedral on December 6.

He said: “The popular misconception is that those of other faiths are somehow offended by Christians celebrating at Christmas – so much so that people have felt the need to change the name of the entire festival. Nothing could be further from the truth. No one I know is offended by Christians marking the festival symbolising the birth of Jesus, just as I hope Christians are not offended by Muslims celebrating Eid or Hindus celebrating Diwali.

“As a Muslim, I don’t find some of the secular adornments – such as Christmas trees or Santa’s grottos – particularly symbolic, and they are no kind of threat or hindrance to my beliefs. But I’m certainly happy to mark the birth of Jesus, who Muslims call Prophet Isa. We read about him in the Holy Koran, and his birth is of such importance to us that a whole chapter is dedicated to talk about him and his mother Mary.

“What I do have problem with is the zeal of the bureaucrats who think they know what will offend me. In their desire to be politically correct, they ban some of the paraphernalia of Christmas on the grounds that it may offend. Actually, that causes more friction and animosity than the issue itself.”

He agreed with the Christian Muslim Forum – a national body set up by the Archbishop of Canterbury – which said that local authorities who choose to ban the word ‘Christmas’ were playing into the hands of right-wing extremists who then blame Muslims for undermining Britain’s Christian culture.

Mr Jaffer said: “I would consider it to be a shame if there was any watering down of the Christmas festival. It’s a time when people come together in celebration – when families, friends and colleagues meet up. People smile at each other, greet each other warmly and are more cheerful. This creates a good atmosphere and is an ideal time for those of all faiths to come together and join in, in a spirit of joy, compassion, friendship, love and peace.”

Christians and Muslims started meeting to celebrate Jesus’ birth in Portsmouth’s Anglican Cathedral more than 10 years ago, and it is now an annual event. It involves sharing food and talking about issues of faith. Christians are also invited each year to the Wessex Jamaat Mosque in Wickham to mark the festival of Eid.