London: advertising “Glory to Allah” on the bus are controversial – Le Figaro

An Islamic NGOs will display an advertisement “Subhan Allah” 640 red buses during Ramadan. Christians denounce a double standard while an Anglican advertising was outlawed at Christmas time.

“Subhan Allah”. “Glory to Allah.” These words will be displayed for two months on the famous red London bus. An advertising campaign launched by the London branch of the Association of Islamic Relief (Islamic Relief in French), the UK’s largest Islamic NGOs, which raises funds to help especially to victims of war in Syria, and has already sent 178 million there.

the start of the campaign will coincide with Ramadan being held in June, where Muslims are traditionally the generosity shown. The “Zakat” alms is one of the five pillars of Islam: Muslims are expected to give a significant part of their income to the needy, especially during this month of fasting. About three million Muslims live in London, almost half of British Muslims. From 23 May, the advertising will be on 640 buses in London, but also Birmingham, Manchester, Leicester and Bradford, cities that also have a large Muslim population. This campaign has a particular resonance, while Sadiq Khan has become the first Muslim mayor of London. Imran Madden, director of the British branch of Islamic Relief explains why in The Independent : “This campaign aims to change the ambient climate around international aid and of the Muslim community in this country. “

for the spokesman of the association Martin Cottingham,” it is important to emphasize that the Islamic relief is not a proselytizing organization “” We are inspired by faith, but our money goes to people in need, people of all religions, “he has said.

the campaign to religious tones is not to the liking of everyone. If the British do not have the same conception of secularism in France, and that religions occupy public space without problems, some are offended a two weights, two measures. Indeed, during the Christmas period, an advertisement of the Church of England that was promoting a website seeking to encourage people to pray, Just pray , was outlawed more cinemas. It showed the Archbishop of Canterbury recite the Our Father with many other faithful. The commercial was to be screened before the movie Star Wars, but was blocked by the Digital Cinema Media, the agency that monitors advertising in the country’s largest cinema.

“If we authorize the advertising of Islam, we must Christians more freedom to express themselves, “thus stated William Andrea, Director of Christian Concern association. In the Daily Mail , Simon Calvert, director of the Christian Institute, said meanwhile that the advertisement “indicates the beginning of a new era of expression of the Christian faith, which has become persona non grata “.