> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.opendemocracy.net/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Reclaim St George for all English, say leading faith figures - URL: https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/reclaim-st-george-for-all-english-say-leading-faith-figures/ - Published: 2013-04-23T10:04:55.000Z - Updated: 2026-04-22T10:07:05.000Z - Description: A statement from faith groups and campaigners across England, to take back the patron saint from racists and extremists. - Author: ourKingdom editors - Tags: Europe, #Migrated, United Kingdom, openglobalrights-openpage-blog, #en, #Import 2026-04-09 15:51, #ImagesUploaded, #appended-excerpt 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.** ![St George flag.png](https://www.opendemocracy.net/content/files/2026/04/St_George_flag_g1PQzFw-1776327849709.png) St George flag.png 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](http://www.al-khoei.org/?ref=opendemocracy.net) Awareness Foundation [www.awareness-foundation.com](http://www.awareness-foundation.com/?ref=opendemocracy.net) Baptist Union of Great Britain [www.baptist.org.uk](http://www.baptist.org.uk/?ref=opendemocracy.net) Christian Muslim Forum [www.christianmuslimforum.org](http://www.christianmuslimforum.org/?ref=opendemocracy.net) City Sikhs Network [www.citysikhs.org.uk](http://www.citysikhs.org.uk/?ref=opendemocracy.net) Faith Matters [www.faith-matters.org](http://faith-matters.org/?ref=opendemocracy.net) Global Village (Lancashire) HOPE not hate [www.hopenothate.org.uk](http://www.hopenothate.org.uk/?ref=opendemocracy.net) Islamic Society of Britain [www.isb.org.uk](http://www.isb.org.uk/?ref=opendemocracy.net) Joseph Interfaith Foundation [www.josephinterfaithfoundation.org](http://www.josephinterfaithfoundation.org/?ref=opendemocracy.net) London Baptist Association [www.londonbaptist.org.uk](http://www.londonbaptist.org.uk/?ref=opendemocracy.net) London Boroughs Faith Network [http://lbfn.wordpress.com](http://lbfn.wordpress.com/?ref=opendemocracy.net) London Inter Faith Centre [http://londoninterfaith.org.uk/](http://londoninterfaith.org.uk/?ref=opendemocracy.net) Majlis-e-Ulama Europe [http://majliseulama.org](http://majliseulama.org/?ref=opendemocracy.net) Mosques and Imams National Advisory Board [www.minab.org.uk](http://www.minab.org.uk/?ref=opendemocracy.net) Muslim Council of Britain [www.mcb.org.uk](http://www.mcb.org.uk/?ref=opendemocracy.net) Preston Faith Forum [www.prestonfaithforum.org.uk](http://www.prestonfaithforum.org.uk/?ref=opendemocracy.net) Radical Middle Way [www.radicalmiddleway.org](http://www.radicalmiddleway.org/?ref=opendemocracy.net) Religions for Peace UK [www.religionsforpeace.org.uk](http://www.religionsforpeace.org.uk/?ref=opendemocracy.net) St Philip’s Centre [www.stphilipscentre.co.uk](http://www.stphilipscentre.co.uk/?ref=opendemocracy.net) Three Faiths Forum [www.3ff.org.uk](http://www.3ff.org.uk/?ref=opendemocracy.net) Woman’s Voice [www.womansvoice.info](http://www.womansvoice.info/?ref=opendemocracy.net) **Individuals:** Liz Carnelley, Programme Director, Near Neighbours [www.cuf.org.uk/near-neighbours](http://www.cuf.org.uk/near-neighbours?ref=opendemocracy.net) Hifsa Haroon-Iqbal MBE DL **Twitter feed: #stgeorge4all** A statement from faith groups and campaigners across England, to take back the patron saint from racists and extremists.