Buses across the country are to carry a slogan praising Allah – just months after cinemas banned an advert featuring the Lord's Prayer.
Hundreds of buses will carry posters bearing the words 'Subhan Allah', which means 'Glory be to God' in Arabic, for an ad campaign paid for by the charity Islamic Relief.
The posters will appear in London, Manchester, Leicester, Birmingham and Bradford, which have large Muslim communities.
It has been timed to coincide with the holy month of Ramadan in June, when Muslims traditionally fast and give to charity.
But last night, Christian groups asked why the Islamic adverts had been approved when a one-minute film by the Church of England was banned by Britain's biggest cinema chains at Christmas.
Odeon, Cineworld and Vue refused to show an advert featuring the Archbishop of Canterbury and members of the public reciting the Lord's Prayer. They banned the advertisement – which was due to be screened before the new Star Wars film in December – fearing it could offend movie-goers.
Simon Calvert, of the Christian Institute, said he hoped the Allah advert 'signals the beginning of a new era of greater expressions of the Christian faith, which seems to have become persona non grata'.
He added: 'People were surprised by the cinema advertising agenda to ban the Lord's Prayer – something we all grew up with.
'Audiences are capable of hearing expressions of Christian faith without running away screaming in horror.'
England cricketer Moeen Ali is supporting the advertising campaign
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England cricketer Moeen Ali is supporting the advertising campaign
Former Tory MP Ann Widdecombe said: 'If other religions are allowed to put their religious banners up, then so should Christians.'
Andrea Williams, director of Christian Concern, said the decision to allow the Allah advert whilst banning Christian ones highlighted the power of political correctness.
She added: 'Britain is a Christian country and we Christians need to find our voice.
'If we are allowing these adverts for Islam, then we need to give the Christians far more freedom to express themselves.'
Islamic Relief said the posters would help to raise funds for victims of war and disasters in countries such as Syria, and portray Islam in a positive light.
Director Imran Madden said: 'There is a lot of negativity around Muslims. We want to change the perception of Islam. The campaign is about breaking down barriers and challenging misconceptions.'
Anger at 'praise Allah' slogans on British buses after the Lord's Prayer advert is banned from nation's biggest cinema chains
- Bus adverts will feature the line 'Subhan Allah', meaning 'Glory be to God'
- Charity wants Muslims to donate money to victims of the Syrian Civil War
- Comes after the Lord's Prayer was banned from cinemas at Christmas
- See more news on the Syrian Civil War at www.dailymail.co.uk/syria
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3579301/British-buses-slogans-proclaiming-Allah-country-s-biggest-Muslim-charity-launches-campaign-aid-Syrian-victims.html#ixzz48BUq6nRs
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