The departures board at King's Cross station in London. PA / Getty Images
The departures board at King's Cross station in London. PA / Getty Images
The departures board at King's Cross station in London. PA / Getty Images
The departures board at King's Cross station in London. PA / Getty Images

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Ramadan message removed at London's King Cross station after complaints

Islamic messages have been added to displays at the terminus throughout Ramadan

Soraya Ebrahimi
Soraya Ebrahimi

March 20, 2024

  • English
  • Arabic

Network Rail on Wednesday removed a Ramadan message from London King's Cross station's departures board after receiving complaints.

The message on a main display at the train station drew a mixture of complaints and praise, with many taking to social media to share their opinions.

Network Rail announced it was investigating why its “general Ramadan celebratory messages” weren't on display and said the sign should not have been on the main departures board.

“We celebrate all the big religious festivals, from Christmas to Ramadan, at King's Cross to reflect our diverse passenger and employee base,” a Network Rail representative told the BBC.

A man takes a selfie in front of the Ramadan lights at Piccadilly Circus in central London. AP
A man takes a selfie in front of the Ramadan lights at Piccadilly Circus in central London. AP
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak visits London Central Mosque in north London. AFP
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak visits London Central Mosque in north London. AFP
Holy month festivities in Frankfurt. AP
Holy month festivities in Frankfurt. AP
People in Frankfurt take pictures as, for the first time in Germany, a street is illuminated specially for the month of Ramadan. AFP
People in Frankfurt take pictures as, for the first time in Germany, a street is illuminated specially for the month of Ramadan. AFP
Women pray during a ceremony marking the start of Ramadan in Cajnice, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Reuters
Women pray during a ceremony marking the start of Ramadan in Cajnice, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Reuters
An imam performs afternoon prayers from the roof of the Begova mosque in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Reuters
An imam performs afternoon prayers from the roof of the Begova mosque in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Reuters

“Our main departure board should be reserved for train information and our general Ramadan celebratory messages weren't used for some reason, which we're looking into.

“All has now been corrected.”

The displaying of a hadith forced some to complain on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Public train stations “should not be urging 'sinners' to repent”, Humanists UK said in a post.

“It is obviously inappropriate and profoundly misjudged to broadcast hadiths or any religious scripture at passengers,” the group said.

“We will be writing to the Transport Secretary to outline our concerns.”

Ramadan lights switched on in London – in pictures

Ramadan lights are lit to celebrate the coming start of the holy month at Piccadilly Circus, London, on March 7. AP
Ramadan lights are lit to celebrate the coming start of the holy month at Piccadilly Circus, London, on March 7. AP
The light installations for Ramadan, the holy month of fasting, which is expected to start on March 10 or 11. AP
The light installations for Ramadan, the holy month of fasting, which is expected to start on March 10 or 11. AP
This Ramadan is the ninth month of the year 1445 in the Hijri, or Muslim, calendar. AP
This Ramadan is the ninth month of the year 1445 in the Hijri, or Muslim, calendar. AP
The Ramadan lights in Piccadilly Circus. AP
The Ramadan lights in Piccadilly Circus. AP
Best wishes in London for the start of Islam's holiest month. AP
Best wishes in London for the start of Islam's holiest month. AP
Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, helps to put on the lights in the city centre. Reuters
Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, helps to put on the lights in the city centre. Reuters
Mr Khan celebrates as the lights count down to the start of the holy month. Reuters
Mr Khan celebrates as the lights count down to the start of the holy month. Reuters
Mr Khan speaks at the lighting ceremony. Reuters
Mr Khan speaks at the lighting ceremony. Reuters

But others praised the messages, which had been posted on other days of Ramadan at King's Cross, with the Islam Channel posting on X: “The beauty of Ramadan in unexpected places.

“A Ramadan hadith spotted at King's Cross Station reminds us of the blessings and wisdom this holy month brings.”

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