Network Rail removes Ramadan message from King’s Cross after complaints

Network Rail has removed an Islamic hadith displayed on the departure board at London’s King’s Cross station after the message sparked a backlash.

The rail operator has been criticised over its decision to display an ‘Islamic hadith (heiptheth) of the day’ to mark Ramadan as part of a diversity initiative.

On Tuesday, a message appeared on the station’s notice board, next to the trains that were late that morning, reading: “The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) (peace be upon him) said: All the sons of Adam are sinners, but the best of sinners are those who repent often.”

Some complained on social media that the post risked “generating resentment” and was inappropriate.

Network Rail has now admitted that this item should not have been displayed and has been removed.

The state-run rail operator said it was investigating why “general Ramadan celebration messages were not broadcast”.

A Network Rail spokesperson said: “We celebrate all major religious holidays, from Christmas to Ramadan, at King’s Cross to reflect the diversity of our passengers and employees.”

They added: “Our main departure board should be reserved for train information and our general Ramadan celebration messages have not been used for a reason which we are investigating.

“Everything has now been corrected.”

Humanists UK released a statement on social media site X saying public railway stations “should not encourage sinners to repent”.

The association said: “It is clearly inappropriate and deeply wrong to broadcast hadith or any other religious text to passengers. We will be writing to the Minister for Transport to express our concerns.”

Others, like 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 month brings.”

Hadiths are sayings of the Prophet Muhammad, considered in Islam as the second source of religious law and moral authority after the Quran.