[Margaret Pilkington]

Spuggie, I don't think anyone is trying to stop them having their core beliefs....and they do have their own religious days too.....when Ramadan is over you will see many shops that will be wishing the ethnic community a happy Eid. I certainly have no arguments with that, but when we start calling our Christmas 'Winterfest' to supposedly protect these people from cultural insult(or alleged cultural insult) it we who are being racist against ourselves.

Frequently the ethnic incomers are given assistance over the indigent population......this is an insult to us too. I worked in the NHS and for all the time that I was in that organisation the muslim staff were given their religious festivities off.....yet I was expected to work my Christmas.....do they suppose that as a Christian my faith is less valid....? I knew when I joined the NHS that I would have to make some sacrifices...and I really didn't mind doing my share..... but then maybe muslims should be happy to do the same.
Yet, I believe we are the most tolerant nation on earth.....or maybe it is apathy.