The Daily Mail

 

The one wise man who saved a city's Christmas lights
by DAVID WILKES, Daily Mail Last updated at 16:05pm on 17th November 2005
Wolverhampton

For years, the city's Christmas lights have spelled out the decidedly unfestive message 'Welcome' (in several languages, of course).

But this year is different in Wolverhampton - tradition has made a comeback and the decorations have been switched on to reveal the words 'Happy Christmas'.

And the about-turn is all thanks to the efforts of one Asian councillor. Elias Mattu met council officers and argued for the true meaning of Christmas to be re-incorporated into the £150,000 display.

The 46-year-old, who is a Punjabi Christian, said: "Some officials seemed to think that it might offend some minorities.

"I pointed out that in India we have more than 500 religions. We have no problem getting on with minorities.

"I don't know of a single minority in Britain who is offended by the mention of Christmas. Muslims, Sikhs and Hindus I've spoken to here all join in with it. It is patronising to suggest they're offended.

"Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ and by removing the word Christmas from the the lights I think it erodes Christian values.

"I believe it was easier for me, as an Asian, to argue this case. I believe in multiculturalism and think all faiths should be accepted equally -but not at the expense of Christianity."

Wolverhampton had been one of many councils to abandon traditional celebrations for fear of offending non-Christians.

Yesterday the Mail reported how council chiefs in Havant, Hampshire, have replaced their Christmas lights with a Festival of Lights.

Last month, it was revealed how Lambeth Council in South London had started referring to Christmas lights as winter lights.

Mr Mattu said he hoped the rethink in Wolverhampton, where nearly a quarter of the population in non-Christian, would encourage others to follow suit.

"They should come to their senses and realise they are ignoring Christian values and destroying part of this country's history," he said.

Mr Mattu, whose father served in the British Army, came to England 38 years ago and said his earliest memories of this country were of seeing snow and Christmas lights.

"It was wonderful - very cold but wonderful. I still think it's great to celebrate Christmas in style," he said.

Wolverhampton City Council last night denied it had bowed to pressure to reinstate the word Christmas in its lights and said angels and stars had featured in the previous displays.

Council leader Roger Lawrence said: "We are very pleased with the positive response we have had to this year's Christmas lights.

"Here in Wolverhampton the festive lights have always had a traditional theme and we have made that clearer than ever this Christmas."

Another councillor, Jim Carpenter, said the lights were "an excellent departure from what is happening in other parts of the country".

He added: "We are perhaps seeing the end of extreme political correctness, with Wolverhampton leading the way.

"I speak to people from all communities and they are often aghast at what is being done, supposedly in their name."