Network Rail has removed an Islamic hadith that was displayed on the departure board at London King’s Cross after the message sparked a backlash, particularly from right-wing groups.
The rail operator faced criticism following its decision to display a “hadith (Islamic eiptheth) of the day” to celebrate Ramadan as part of a diversity initiative.
On Tuesday, a message appeared on the station’s customer display board – alongside that morning’s delayed trains – that read: "The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) [Peace Be Upon Him] said: All the sons of Adam are sinners but the best of the sinners are those who repent often."
Seen at London's King's Cross Station. pic.twitter.com/qBEa7UBM1j
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Some people took to social media to complain that the message risked “generating resentment” and was inappropriate.
Network Rail has now conceded that it should not have been displayed and has been removed.
The state-owned rail operator said it’s investigating why “general Ramadan celebratory messages weren’t used”.
A Network Rail spokesperson said: "We celebrate all the big religious festivals from Christmas to Ramadan at King's Cross to reflect our diverse passenger and employee base."
They added: "Our main departure board should be reserved for train information and our general Ramadan celebratory messages weren't used for some reason, which we're looking into.
"All has now been corrected."
Humanists UK posted a statement on social media site X saying public train stations “should not be urging sinners’ to repent”.
The campaign group said: "It is obviously inappropriate and profoundly misjudged to broadcast hadiths or any religious scripture at passengers. We will be writing to the transport secretary to outline our concerns."
Others, such as The Islam Channel, welcomed the message, writing: “The beauty of Ramadan in unexpected places.
"A Ramadan hadith spotted at King's Cross Station reminds us of the blessings and wisdom this holy monthbrings."
Hadiths are sayings of the Prophet Mohammed, treated in Islam as second only to the Koran as a source of religious law and moral authority.
