A digital customer display board at King’s Cross station in London, which displayed a Hadith saying “All the sons of Adam are sinners but the best of the sinners are those who repent often,” has been removed by Network Rail. The sign had drawn both positive and negative reactions from passengers who had posted photos of it on social media.
According to Network Rail, the Hadith should not have been displayed on the main train departure board. Instead, a spokesperson for the network said that they celebrate all religious festivals, including Ramazan, with messages, and that the main departure board should be reserved for train information. It was being investigated why General Ramazan’s celebratory messages weren’t used.
Humanists UK uploaded a statement on social media, saying that it felt public train stations should not be urging “sinners” to repent and that it is inappropriate and profoundly misjudged to broadcast Hadiths or any religious scripture at passengers. They have said that they will write to the transport secretary to outline their concerns. On the other hand, several welcomed the messages that had been posted on other days of Ramazan at King’s Cross. The Islam Channel wrote on Twitter, “The beauty of Ramazan in unexpected places. A Ramazan hadith spotted at King’s Cross Station reminds us of the blessings and wisdom this holy month brings.
