iggle

I think this also shows UK is not ready for a none Christian Leader.

Bipat

There have been many Jewish and probably many atheist leaders.

Bahtatboy

That's naïve in the extreme. He states on his own political website that he's Muslim. And go to many British towns and cities -- there are very many people who do not wish their religion to remain private.

Khan's website is good, and I fully applaud pretty-much all his aspirations and commitments. I hope he succeeds, and that his performance is judged on its merits and not pre-judged on his faith: to a large degree, that rests in his hands.

Bipat

I was speaking in general terms about names. Obviously yes, many people do like to advertise their religion whatever it is. Others don't.
He wanted Muslim votes!!

(Speaking of wives, Mr Khan's wife --I don't know her origins, a lawyer, she dresses in very modern Western style --and shock/horror they are seen walking hand in hand--a very un-Muslim action.)

iggle

I am Atheist myself. Maybe i should of reworded it to "White"

Meow

Wound up? Not in the slightest. You flatter yourself.

I was faintly amused as you were getting more and more defensive and wound up yourself.

I was toying with you, much as a cat toys with a mouse. This is just an internet forum after all...

Meow

Only if you want to sound as if you'd like to join the KKK.

Seriously, who really cares about a person's family background, gender or religion provided they are a decent person and do a job well? Many of us have all kinds of mixed backgrounds and it's largely irrelevant if you have most other things in common.

All the comments I see just make it feel like the 70s all over again. Love Thy Neighbour anyone

Millhouse

I want to live in your world.

In fact, I used to.

Then I did several projects in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Saudi and Egypt.

My eyes got opened and I got conditioned.

mission

to those who have been banging on about how a Christian could never be elected in a muslim city....read on


"A CHRISTIAN COULD NEVER BE ELECTED MAYOR IN A MUSLIM CITY!"


Since Sadiq Khan's election as Mayor of London, many people seem to be suggesting that no Muslim city would ever be open-minded enough to elect a Christian as mayor.


So, in the interests of accuracy, and because FACTS ARE OUR FRIENDS, I present a list of some of the many Christians who have done just what Mr Khan has done - been elected to high office in Muslim countries where they are a religious minority:


* In 2005 Alees Salman became the first Christian and first woman to chair Bahrain's upper house of Parliament. Bahrain is 70% Muslim.


* Pakistan currently has a Christian minister of ports and shipping, Kamran Michael. Pakistan is 96.4% Muslim.


* The Turkish city of Mardin recently elected its first female Christian mayor, Februniye Akyol. Turkey is 96.5% Muslim.


* Boutros Boutros Ghali, a coptic Christian and former head of the UN, was Egypt's Foreign Minister for 14 years. Egypt is 90% Muslim.


* The capital of the world's most populous Muslim country, Indonesia, has a Christian governor, Basuki Tjahaya Purnama. Indonesia is 87.2% Muslim.


* Senegal had a Catholic president, Léopold Sédar Senghor, for 20 years. Senegal is 92% Muslim.


* Lebanon had a Christian president, Michel Suleiman, from 2008-2014. Lebanon is 54% Muslim.


* The mayor of Ramallah, the capital of Palestine, is Janet Mikhail, a Roman Catholic (thanks to Jason Faulkner for that one!).


*********** BONUS ROUND!!!! ***********


In Iran, five seats in parliament are reserved for recognised religious minorities - one for a Jew, two for Christians and two for Zoroastrians. That's right - Iran has to have a Jewish MP by law. They don't teach you THAT at Bigot School.
_____________________________________


It is fantastic that London has resisted the tide of Islamophobia sweeping our culture to elect a mayor based on his policies and personal qualities, but let's not pretend that 'western' countries are the only places where religious minorities can be elected to office.


On the other hand, it would be irresponsible to suggest that no countries have restrictions on the religion of those who occupy public office. Some countries have laws explicitly stating that the Head of State must belong to one particular religion, a form of religious bigotry that is unacceptable in the 21st century.


One such country is Britain, where the law states that the monarch must be a Christian Protestant.

Meow

Someone's declared religious affiliation being seen as a problem says more about the person with the issue than the person with the faith.

You can believe anything you like if you don't force it on me. I'll may judge you for certain beliefs but I won't hate you or declare you unfit to take public office if you show that you are capable of performing the job. (David Ike level nuttiness notwithstanding.)

Sadly in the case of Khan, in certain parts of the press and the public, he is damned if he does and damned if he doesn't. You really do have to have a thick skin to want to go into politics.


(I really need to learn that multiple quoting thing.)

Meow

I did include a caveat. That is hugely relevant in certain places.

I am hugely cynical when it comes to religious affiliations but I do try very hard to stop it colouring my views of everything. Admittedly it is hard, especially as I would describe myself as a radical atheist.

scrubbedexpat141

You say it like one is better than the other though, even if it's true.

Nobody in their right mind should be going anywhere near Labour at the moment, but as Millhouse said, he's not very Labour-like so maybe that's a positive.

Eeyore

You mean the UK that's full of bigoted hypocrites who play the "this is a Christian country!" card while not praying or reading the Bible and only ever seeing the inside of a church for weddings, christenings and funerals?

One of the things I like so much about the UK is that religion is generally in decline, at least among white Britons. I only know a handful of people who are actively religious Christians.

Meow

True and most Britains have no issue with someone not having any religious affiliation, or being a declared atheist. Most Britain's idea of religion is the rather woolly CofE which is about as laid back as you can get.

Compare and contrast with the US where you are even less likely to be voted into high office if you are an atheist then if you are black or female.

I know which I prefer.

Inselaffen

Don't think the KKK is not very welcoming to Atheists!