Network Rail removes Islamic message on King's Cross display boards after fierce criticism

[thenorthern]

Saw this earlier on GB News (yes I know it's GB News but other media outlets have also covered it).

Network Rail removes Islamic message on King's Cross display boards after fierce criticism​

Network Rail has removed its daily Ramadan messages at King's Cross after extensive criticism.

A King’s Cross display board attracted outrage today after it broadcast an Islamic teaching that describes people as “sinners” who must “repent.”

On the ninth day of Ramadan, the holiest month for Muslims, the central London train station featured a “Hadith of the day.”

This evening National Rail announced that it had decided to remove the messages.

A Network Rail spokesperson said: “We value the feedback of our passengers and while these messages were intended to celebrate the beliefs and backgrounds of some of our colleagues and passengers, we have removed them.
“Over recent years, King’s Cross has celebrated significant religious and secular events from all cultures including Easter, Diwali, Passover, Ramadan, and Remembrance Day, however we will now review how occasions can be marked in the future."

On the ninth day of Ramadan, the holiest month for Muslims, the central London train station featured a “Hadith of the day.”

Network Rail removes Islamic message on King's Cross display boards after fierce criticism

Islamic message about 'sinners' who 'must repent' attracted outrage at King's Cross

www.gbnews.com

Here is a link to it being featured on GB News TV.

https://twitter.com/GBNEWS/status/1770223564089676199

According to GB News there is going to be an internal investigation by Network Rail as the Ramadan messages may not have been officially authorised by Network Rail.

Overall it's probably not the wisest move to put overtly religious messages on railway information boards.

 

[Boodiggy]

Saw this earlier on GB News (yes I know it's GB News but other media outlets have also covered it).



Here is a link to it being featured on GB News TV.

https://twitter.com/GBNEWS/status/1770223564089676199

According to GB News there is going to be an internal investigation by Network Rail as the Ramadan messages may not have been officially authorised by Network Rail.

Overall it's probably not the wisest move to put overtly religious messages on railway information boards.

Clearly not an official message!

 

[Mojo]

According to GB News there is going to be an internal investigation by Network Rail as the Ramadan messages may not have been officially authorised by Network Rail.

It’s strange how all throughout the day Network Rail doubled down and were running with a statement that all was fine, and then changed their mind during the late evening.

 

[Coolzac]

It’s strange how all throughout the day Network Rail doubled down and were running with a statement that all was fine, and then changed their mind during the late evening.

Absolutely. I think the majority of people would say that this is clearly wrong - Network rail should never be shown to preaching any religious texts.

Why can't they just say 'We wish a happy Ramadan' or something like that?

 

[Nottingham59]

Anything's better than "See it; say it; sorted"

 

[bramling]

Clearly not an official message!

If not official, then some firm action needs to be taken against the staff responsible. Railway stations are not the place for religious statements, and every member of staff should be well aware of the terms of their employment.

 

[ainsworth74]

Why can't they just say 'We wish a happy Ramadan' or something like that?

I think that's where I land on this. Happy Ramadan (or really Ramadan Mubarak) would be absolutely fine and no different to all the Merry Christmas messages that dot the network. But if a station board started quoting bible passages I would also be pretty unhappy.

That to me is the issue. Acknowledging the occasion absolutely fine. Quoting scripture at me? Nah. Sorry, don't care which religion it is. That's too far.

 

[AlterEgo]

I think that's where I land on this. Happy Ramadan (or really Ramadan Mubarak) would be absolutely fine and no different to all the Merry Christmas messages that dot the network. But if a station board started quoting bible passages I would also be pretty unhappy.

That to me is the issue. Acknowledging the occasion absolutely fine. Quoting scripture at me? Nah. Sorry, don't care which religion it is. That's too far.

I think this strikes the appropriate balance too, it's a reasonable compromise.

 

[Viper]

Absolutely. I think the majority of people would say that this is clearly wrong - Network rail should never be shown to preaching any religious texts.

Why can't they just say 'We wish a happy Ramadan' or something like that?

You'd think that would have been the plan the whole time, to show something supportive yet neutral. Similar to how I imagine they might have "Merry Christmas" or "Happy chocolate egg day".

It seems like they made the right decision to remove it, I wouldn't like to see any form of particular religious quotes from any form of belief. Having said that, I would also find it very easy to ignore it and not let it affect my life, but the one that was displayed at KGX definitely looks a bit strong, calling everyone sinners

 

[LancasterRed]

Didn't see much issue with it and would expect to see Catholic scripture when it's relevant too.

Obviously if it wasn't approved then the people responsible will justifiably have action taken against them but on the surface it just strikes as people looking for something to be offended about.

 

[AlterEgo]

Didn't see much issue with it and would expect to see Catholic scripture when it's relevant too.

You’d expect Network Rail to put Catholic scripture on the passenger information screens?

 

[LancasterRed]

You’d expect Network Rail to put Catholic scripture on the passenger information screens?

During Easter, Christmas, yes, if they're putting Islamic text on there it should be the same for Bible verses

 

[MK88]

If not official, then some firm action needs to be taken against the staff responsible. Railway stations are not the place for religious statements, and every member of staff should be well aware of the terms of their employment.

Do you believe the same then for the Christmas messages every year? Or is that different for some reason...

 

[Mojo]

Do you believe the same then for the Christmas messages every year? Or is that different for some reason...

When are religious quotes put up on the screens at Christmas time?

 

[62484GlenLyon]

Just concentrate on the day job, Network Rail. I am sure that most people, of whatever religion, or none, simply want the rail network to run smoothly and punctually.

 

[43066]

If not official, then some firm action needs to be taken against the staff responsible. Railway stations are not the place for religious statements, and every member of staff should be well aware of the terms of their employment.

Agreed. Staff should not be using their employer’s equipment as their own personal soap box.

 

[bramling]

Do you believe the same then for the Christmas messages every year?

Yes.

Or is that different

No it isn’t.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Agreed. Staff should not be using their employer’s equipment as their own personal soap box.

If it was a member of staff doing it themselves without permission, then that's pretty serious and I suspect they may not stay in their job. However I don't have a problem with it as an official thing provided it's balanced and similar would be done for other religions.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

I think that's where I land on this. Happy Ramadan (or really Ramadan Mubarak) would be absolutely fine and no different to all the Merry Christmas messages that dot the network. But if a station board started quoting bible passages I would also be pretty unhappy.

In the good old days, Paddington used its new displays to show the test cricket score.
Now anybody that's interested has it on their phone.

 

[Bletchleyite]

In the good old days, Paddington used its new displays to show the test cricket score.
Now anybody that's interested has it on their phone.

My Dad used to hate this sort of thing being done as he'd record sports stuff to watch later.

Best one, though, was on BBC News:

"If you don't want to see the results please look away now. Manchester United 2..."

 

[AlterEgo]

During Easter, Christmas, yes, if they're putting Islamic text on there it should be the same for Bible verses

They shouldn't be putting any religious texts on the information screens at all, and it seems someone at NR saw sense and told whoever it was that put it up to take it down.

 

[norbitonflyer]

The display boards should be used to display information about train running - departures, alterations etc. Nothing else.

 

[AlterEgo]

Do you believe the same then for the Christmas messages every year? Or is that different for some reason...

There aren't religious texts shown on the board at Christmas, just generic festive messages. Nothing wrong with wishing people a happy or joyful Ramadan/Christmas, but quotes from the prophet or the apostle Luke are a step too far, thanks.

 

[brad465]

Anything's better than "See it; say it; sorted"

That slogan is probably what led to the reporting of this incident.

My favourite joke related to that though was from Rhys James: "To clarify when we said if you see something that doesn't LOOK RIGHT, we meant like terrorist stuff, not just a baby wearing ripped jeans."

 

[TFN]

As a Muslim, the start times (Fajr) and end times (Maghrib) would be useful as these change every day. I’ve been caught out before this Ramadan already, where I had to pop to get a chocolate and water to break my fast before continuing my journey.

Putting quotes that can be taken out of context doesn’t help.

 

[Bletchleyite]

The display boards should be used to display information about train running - departures, alterations etc. Nothing else.

It's the "special notices" board which isn't used for very much unless there's disruption - normally it just contains something fairly useless like "Welcome to Kings Cross, the duty manager is Bob".

 

[Viper]

As a Muslim, the start times (Fajr) and end times (Maghrib) would be useful as these change every day. I’ve been caught out before this Ramadan already, where I had to pop to get a chocolate and water to break my fast before continuing my journey.

Putting quotes that can be taken out of context doesn’t help.

That sounds like a very good idea of something that is helpful, supportive, and neutral! It could be worth a message to someone in NR about that.

 

[ExRes]

As a Muslim, the start times (Fajr) and end times (Maghrib) would be useful as these change every day. I’ve been caught out before this Ramadan already, where I had to pop to get a chocolate and water to break my fast before continuing my journey.

Putting quotes that can be taken out of context doesn’t help.

Are you being serious? if people need reminders to live their everyday lives then there are plenty of alternatives to train information boards

 

[ivanhoe]

I see GB News have got the outcome they wanted. Advertising their brand and their political viewpoint to people who should know better.

 

[Class172]

I think that's where I land on this. Happy Ramadan (or really Ramadan Mubarak) would be absolutely fine and no different to all the Merry Christmas messages that dot the network. But if a station board started quoting bible passages I would also be pretty unhappy.

That to me is the issue. Acknowledging the occasion absolutely fine. Quoting scripture at me? Nah. Sorry, don't care which religion it is. That's too far.

That's certainly my instinctive response to the matter too. I have no qualms with simple messages celebrating different festivals/events throughout the year, be they religious of secular, but I have no place for pieces of scripture of any persuasion on the public noticeboards.