SENSIBLE Muslims – and we assume there are at least some in the UK – must be writhing with embarrassment today as a result of the latest rant by Islamic half-wit Anjem Choudary.
The lawyer – who recently praised the Mumbai terror attack – got up off his magic carpet to brand Christmas “evil” in a sermon posted on the internet. He urged all Muslims to reject traditional Christmas celebrations, claiming that they are forbidden by the moon god Allah.
No turkey for you this Christmas says the idiot Choudary. Photo: PA
According to the Telegraph, the 41-year-old rug-butter shocked Christians and even those of his own faith by branding yuletide festivities as “the pathway to hellfire”.
Choudary, who is chairman of the Society of Muslim Lawyers, ruled out all celebrations, including having a Christmas tree, decorating the house or eating turkey.
In the sermon posted on an Islamic website, he said:
In the world today many Muslims, especially those residing in Western countries, are exposed to the evil celebration Christmas. Many take part in the festival celebrations by having Christmas turkey dinners.
Decorating the house, purchasing Christmas trees or having Christmas turkey meals are completely prohibited by Allah. Many still practise this corrupt celebration as a remembrance of the birth of Jesus.
Choudary then asked:
How can a Muslim possibly approve or participate in such a practice that bases itself on the notion Allah has an offspring? The very concept of Christmas contradicts and conflicts with the foundation of Islam.
Every Muslim has a responsibility to protect his family from the misguidance of Christmas, because its observance will lead to hellfire. Protect your Paradise from being taken away – protect yourself and your family from Christmas.
Choudary is principal lecturer at the London School of Shari’ah and a follower of the Islamist militant leader Omar Bakri Mohammed.
The Freethinker was founded in 1881 by GW Foote, an outspoken critic of religion. After the publication of 
December 10th, 2008 at 6:26 pm
What a Plonker
December 10th, 2008 at 6:35 pm
Perhaps his name translates as ‘Richard Head’ If he doesn’t like being a country that celebrates xmas he can always leave; no better still kicked out of the UK back to some dark age muslim country.
December 10th, 2008 at 7:25 pm
The Muslims say Christianity and Christmas are evil, the RRRW Christians scream about the evil Muslims and their Eid “Christmas” stamp, they all scream about the godless atheists and perverted gays.
What good is religion if it only makes you cranky, hateful and intolerant?
December 10th, 2008 at 8:06 pm
One assumption I’d question is how many Muslims really disagree with this bloke’s hate-filled rants. Islam teaches contempt for ‘infidels’, and that means contempt for virtually everyone in Britain and indeed most of the human race. We keep hearing about all those millions of moderate Muslims. But when do we hear FROM them?
December 11th, 2008 at 9:17 am
I would like to simplify it. Whilst being an atheist I still love xmas and all the fun that goes with it. If he hates the west the simple answer is to f++k off. But he won’t, as, in the UK he is controversial, but in a muslin country he is just one fuckwit amongst millions.
December 11th, 2008 at 9:24 am
I suppose a Pagan orgy is out of the question too?
December 11th, 2008 at 12:18 pm
I agree with TONY E that Xmas can be enjoyed by atheists. After all, the Christians stole it from the pagans!
Just call it Yuletide, and make delicious use of that pagan symbol, mistletoe!
December 11th, 2008 at 1:02 pm
Well, some one didn’t get the Barbie Dreamhouse he wanted from Santa.
December 11th, 2008 at 1:25 pm
Does he do all this branding before or after collecting his benefits?
December 11th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
So mince pies are OK then?
December 11th, 2008 at 2:28 pm
Why does a “London school of Sharia” even exist?
December 11th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
Why the hell is he urging Muslims to reject Christmas? Isn’t Christmas a Christian holiday? What an idiot………..
December 11th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
Watercat: Not all the PC has been stamped out in London. Maybe Boris doesn’t know how his subsidies to ‘good causes’ are being spent.
December 11th, 2008 at 3:27 pm
“Choudary is principal lecturer at the London School of Shari’ah and a follower of the Islamist militant leader Omar Bakri Mohammed”.
Yes. And he’s also a dick.
Saturnalia Felix, everyone!
December 11th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
Funny enough, a sect of Shia Islam, the Alawites, actually celebrate Christmas (along with Easter and Epiphany). They also believe in a Holy Trinity consisting of Ali, Muhammad, and Salman the Pesian; celebrate a form of Mass; and believe in reincarnation (of men only). Yay syncretism! However, I assume that most Sunnis would consider them heretical apostates, even worse than People of the Book and pagans.
This is quite entertaining :p.
December 11th, 2008 at 6:16 pm
But but but surely Jesus also exists in Islam, so celebrating his birth (if not his parenthood as Christians see it) is fine?
December 11th, 2008 at 9:00 pm
Mike wrote:
“But but but surely Jesus also exists in Islam, so celebrating his birth (if not his parenthood as Christians see it) is fine?”
Just like those Imams who are intent on legally forbidding Muslims from celebrating their own birthdays, this attempt to make Christmas “haram” it to prevent “idolatry”, I guess. In this case, all praise be to the malevolent sky-daddy, all other praise be damned because it can entice “apostasy”. You know the deal.
But also, as brainless as this Islamic zealot seems, he probably realizes that Christmas itself was a con appropriated by the Early Church from pagan festivals which coincided with the Winter Solstice (e.g. Yule, Saturnalia), in order to ensure the fidelity of pagan converts (yet another cynical political ploy from the priestly class).
December 16th, 2008 at 10:44 pm
“SENSIBLE Muslims – and we assume there are at least some in the UK – must be writhing with embarrassment today as a result of the latest rant by Islamic half-wit Anjem Choudary.”
Why would they? Only extreme fascist bigots hold an entire group (in this case Muslims) responisble for the action of any member of that group
December 17th, 2008 at 12:05 am
Munir, the tone of your comment suggests that you are annoyed. Unfortunately, the two sentences you have composed convey contradictory messages. Please could you clarify your position.
December 17th, 2008 at 7:03 pm
I have read all the comments and with all due respect find that lack of knowledge is what most of you individuals have a deficiency in.Fist & foremost Islam means peace and alot of these comments from religous leaders are misinterpreted,people are ignorant and thus comments as such are composed without any real thought,my advice is read and learn you will find Islam is a universal religion which has discipline and no contradiction so invest in a Koran and surely you will see that the author is not your average joe but Allah or GOD as we know it in the west is the author,the book which has no contradictions and a clear guide for mankind till the day of recompense. May Allah guide you all to the straight path! Ameen.
December 17th, 2008 at 8:02 pm
Dave, you accuse people who have left comments here of being ignorant but then you reveal your own ignorance by stating that, “first and foremost, Islam means peaceâ€. It does not. It means “submissionâ€.
You then suggest that the people you criticise should invest in a Koran. You seem not to realise that visitors to this site are mainly ATHEISTS who have no belief in ANY religion or religious books. They will not be swayed by your assertion that the Koran was written by Allah or God, because they reject the existence of gods.
Finally, and most bizarrely of all, you claim the Koran is without contradictions. Nonsense. Like the Bible, it littered with contradictions. If you don’t believe this, visit this site for some examples.
January 26th, 2009 at 11:49 pm
“Islam is a religion of peace”.
This is the ugliest lie one can hear repeatedly.
Muslims can be peaceful, but Islam is a violent religion and never can be peaceful
Qur’an:9:5 “Fight and kill the disbelievers wherever you find them, take them captive, harass them, lie in wait and ambush them using every stratagem of war.”
Qur’an:9:29 “Fight those who do not believe until they all surrender, paying the protective tax in submission.”
Qur’an:8:39 “Fight them until all opposition ends and all submit to Allah.”
Qur’an:9:123 “Fight the unbelievers around you, and let them find harshness in you.”