BOXING
Boxer Amir Khan receives death threats over Christmas tree post
The former boxing light-welterweight champion, who is a devout Muslim, was targeted by trolls after posting a picture of a Christmas tree.
Pakistani-British boxer Amir Khan, who is a devout Muslim, has been subjected to an outburst of online abuse after he posted a picture of a Christmas tree on his Instagram page.
Khan, a former light-welterweight champion, shared a picture of the decorations he arranged for his daughter while she was asleep, causing the outrage of some of his followers.
The 31-year-old boxer even received death threats from an Instagram user, aimed at both him and his three-year-old daughter.
"Daddy put the Christmas tree up"
On Wednesday morning, Khan posted a picture of the Christmas decorations he assembled for his daughter on his Instagram account.
"While everyone’s asleep, daddy put the Christmas tree up. Lamaisah’s going to be happy. Christmas #MerryChristmas2017," reads the caption of the picture.
Some of his 1.2 million followers criticised the action.
One of his followers said: "It's one thing to give out cards at school your respecting other faith and their celebration but putting up a tree in your own home.... poor kid will be well confused.”
Another wrote: "That is a pagan practice. I mean you might as well eat pork..."
However, a huge debate began as one troll promised to kill the boxer and his daughter.
"You must be dead and your family will be dead I promise and Allah must promise I and Allah see you and check you your angel death came to see you," wrote the troll.
Muslims and Christmas
After the death threat, several Instagram users defended Khan's Christmas tree, arguing that lots of Muslims commemorate Christmas, as the Quran recognises Jesus as a prophet.
One of Khan's supporters wrote: "I read the Quran and it is clear that Jesus is also a prophet. People slating him must not read the Quran."
Another added: "I'm Muslim and put my tree up every year merry Xmas! Hope you have a good one!!!"
The Quran venerates both Jesus and Mary. Muslims believe that Jesus was sent as a prophet of God to share a message of peace among the people of his time.
However, Muslims do not tend to celebrate the birth of prophets.
Muslim journalist Sajdah Nubee wrote about this in The Huffington Post.
"Christmas is a Christian holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ," says Nubee. "However, it is not the practice of Muslims to celebrate the birth of their prophets.
"Often, when people hear I do not celebrate Christmas, they express their condolences. It may seem like many of us are missing out, but I don’t see it that way. Parties, giving gifts, and decorating are things that we do on other occasions."
Khan has not yet responded to comments about his Instagram post.