New schoolbooks by Cappelen Damm publishers "We in the world" (Vi i verden) for the new religion class in elementary schools uses "before the common era" and "after the common era" instead of "before Christ" and "after Christ".
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Shoaib Sultan, general secretary of the Islamic council, doesn't support the new term. "I think it's unfortunate. People try to hide the meaning of something important because it has a religious background. It's certainly not an implementation of a new date count, it continues to be based on Christ, and people should say that," says Sultan to Dagbladet.no.
He also thinks that the term "common" era is not less discriminating. "For something to be common something else must be uncommon. The new term signals that other date counts aren't the right ones."
The general secretary thinks it's misunderstood that people of other religious backgrounds feel offended by Christian references in Norwegian society.
"It's important that all religions are respected and that all get to have their religious holidays. Norway has a Christian culture and history and everybody should understand that. It shouldn't change by adapting itself otherwise which sends wrong signals," says Sultan.
He advises against being so zealous on respecting other religions that people give different treatment and instead attack Christianity.
"For example, Christmas is celebrated with a religious background, and people should support it. it's misunderstood that it's neutral by camouflaging it's background."
Source: Dagbladet (Norwegian)
(..)
Shoaib Sultan, general secretary of the Islamic council, doesn't support the new term. "I think it's unfortunate. People try to hide the meaning of something important because it has a religious background. It's certainly not an implementation of a new date count, it continues to be based on Christ, and people should say that," says Sultan to Dagbladet.no.
He also thinks that the term "common" era is not less discriminating. "For something to be common something else must be uncommon. The new term signals that other date counts aren't the right ones."
The general secretary thinks it's misunderstood that people of other religious backgrounds feel offended by Christian references in Norwegian society.
"It's important that all religions are respected and that all get to have their religious holidays. Norway has a Christian culture and history and everybody should understand that. It shouldn't change by adapting itself otherwise which sends wrong signals," says Sultan.
He advises against being so zealous on respecting other religions that people give different treatment and instead attack Christianity.
"For example, Christmas is celebrated with a religious background, and people should support it. it's misunderstood that it's neutral by camouflaging it's background."
Source: Dagbladet (Norwegian)