Brits left divided by King’s Cross announcement board’s Islamic message calling “all sons of Adam sinners”

BRITS have been left divided after an Islamic message calling “all sons of Adam sinners” was displayed on an announcement board in King’s Cross station.

The board was spotted by commuters yesterday, bearing a hadith (a saying or teaching) from the prophet Muhammad to mark the ninth day of Ramadan – the holy month of fasting for Muslims.

However, the message, which appears to indirectly call those reading it “sinners”, has prompted debate amongst social media users over its appropriateness.

Network Rail have since been warned about the quote, with Stephen Evans of the National Secular Society branding the display a “well-meaning yet misguided […] attempt at inclusivity”.

An image shows the message on the announcement board reading: “The prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: All the sons of Adam are sinners but the best of the sinners are those who repent often.”

The image of the display has since hit social media, where some struck out whilst others defended the right for the message to be displayed to mark the important month in the Islamic calendar.

The snap was shared to social media yesterday with the caption: “Hadith of the day at King’s [Cross] today.”

The post has since received over 3,000 likes and more than 400 comments from users engaged in debate over the message.

One user said: “They definitely post Christmas stuff. My objection to this is the particular passage is pretty divisive.”

Another added: “Any religious verses, regardless of the religion should not be part of our public services system and communication.

“You can have best wishes for the various holidays of various religions, but not this.”

A third wrote: “There was a choir of about 30 people singing Christmas carols quite frequently at Waterloo over the Christmas period.”

A fourth commented: “Picked the wrong hadith. People don’t take kindly to being called a sinner and being told to repent.”

A fifth replied: “What I don’t mind: sharing scripture or uplifting thoughts that are meaningful to a large group of Brits. What I do mind: being publicly called a sinner.”

A Network Rail spokesman said: “King’s Cross station is made up of a diverse and multicultural workforce and at times of religious significance, messages such as these are displayed to celebrate the station’s diversity and inclusivity.

“If significant disruption occurs on the network, the boards are changed to display relevant passenger information to help passengers complete their journeys.

“Throughout the year, messaging at the station also celebrates festivals from other religions including Easter, Christmas, Passover and Diwali to mark the beliefs of our colleagues and passengers.”