St George should be a figure of national unity and pride. That’s why we – a coalition of English faith groups and campaigners – are ‘reclaiming’ England’s patron saint and demanding he becomes representative of all English peoples.

We demand him back from those who promote racism and extremism, and from those who say that St George can only represent a single ethnic group. 

We want to promote a new, relaxed and confident, English national identity. A place where a hijab is as welcome as bangers and mash, and no-one is attacked for their race, religion (or lack thereof) or any other belief. 

That is why this St George’s Day we are reclaiming St George.

As patron saint for England, St George is there for everyone living in England. Too often he has been hijacked and used as a symbol of triumphalism and division by those on the extreme Right. St George needs to take his rightful place as a national symbol of inclusivity rather than a symbol of hatred. 

Although the Crusaders used the Cross of St George, St George actually lived before the birth of Islam and should not be associated with any hatred of Muslims. He is respected by many people in the Middle East because of his origins there.

Therefore on St George’s Day, we call upon all people of goodwill to join us in:

• standing up against the hijacking of a national hero by those who promote Islamophobia, antisemitism and other forms of discrimination opposing the modern ‘dragons’ of hatred and intolerance saying: ‘As the diverse people of England, we are comfortable with difference, and each other. St George’s Day is a time for highlighting harmony and peaceful national pride.’

Signatories:

Al-Khoei Foundation www.al-khoei.org

Awareness Foundation www.awareness-foundation.com

Baptist Union of Great Britain www.baptist.org.uk  

Christian Muslim Forum www.christianmuslimforum.org

City Sikhs Network www.citysikhs.org.uk

Faith Matters www.faith-matters.org

Global Village (Lancashire)

HOPE not hate www.hopenothate.org.uk 

Islamic Society of Britain www.isb.org.uk

Joseph Interfaith Foundation www.josephinterfaithfoundation.org

London Baptist Association www.londonbaptist.org.uk

London Boroughs Faith Network http://lbfn.wordpress.com

London Inter Faith Centre http://londoninterfaith.org.uk/

Majlis-e-Ulama Europe http://majliseulama.org

Mosques and Imams National Advisory Board www.minab.org.uk

Muslim Council of Britain www.mcb.org.uk

Preston Faith Forum www.prestonfaithforum.org.uk

Radical Middle Way www.radicalmiddleway.org

Religions for Peace UK www.religionsforpeace.org.uk

St Philip’s Centre www.stphilipscentre.co.uk

Three Faiths Forum www.3ff.org.uk

Woman’s Voice www.womansvoice.info

Individuals: 

Liz Carnelley, Programme Director, Near Neighbours www.cuf.org.uk/near-neighbours

Hifsa Haroon-Iqbal MBE DL

Twitter feed: #stgeorge4all