Muslim Amir Khan issued death threats and abuse for putting up a Christmas tree
Amir Khan has been subjected to a torrent of online abuse after he posted on social media that he had put up a Christmas tree.
The British boxer, who is a practising Muslim, even received a death threat from one angry troll as others questioned why he was celebrating the traditionally Christian holiday.
![Amir is a practising Muslim. Copyright: [Rex]](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/4hDwoZVHqfcuNh6G6g8RcQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTcyMA--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/homerun/feed_manager_auto_publish_494/9f33f8c01a36bf079795d9f909b88508)
Posting a video of the twinkling tree lights on Instagram, Amir revealed that he’d put the tree up to surprise his three-year-old daughter, Lamaisah.
He captioned the post with: “While everyone’s asleep, daddy put the Christmas tree up.
“Lamaisah’s going to be happy #Christmas #MerryChristmas2017.”
However, he was immediately hit with backlash.
One wrote: “I promise to God I want to kill you and your family, Amir.”
![Amir’s tree sparked outrage. Copyright: [Instagram]](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/OEAVW.fZpc7f3vchZSalXw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTExODc-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/homerun/feed_manager_auto_publish_494/46c79a828178b44128ceef6099bd90be)
Others added: “As a fellow Muslim, I’m appalled seeing this. A Christmas tree represents CELTIC PAGAN tradition. Are you a Pagan?! Putting up a Christmas tree means you accept pagan culture and it’s not about ‘JUST FUN’. It’s SHIRK [a sin]!”
“How could he betray religion like that?”
“This guy suppose to be a role model for the younger Muslims. His head needs a wobble.”
However, others quickly rushed to Amir’s defence – pointing out that celebrating Christmas has become more of a cultural event rather than a religious one, they wrote:
“Christmas trees are a British cultural festival thing not a Christian religious thing. He can celebrate British culture.”
![The star put the tree up to surprise his daughter. Copyright: [Twitter]](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/mdnmtrNJQaxsq4s7eeH7fw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTg2Mg--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/homerun/feed_manager_auto_publish_494/dd3ac4f5d2243459bf934b412acdd8c0)
“Muslims don’t understand that Christmas trees are not religious, and they are not. They are part of British Culture.
“We celebrate Christmas in my country without trees. People can’t be punished for not doing anything wrong.”
And: “Seriously can’t believe some of the comments on here! I know plenty of practising Muslims that put Christmas trees up!”
![Amir’s faith was respected by I’m A Celeb producers. Copyright: [ITV]](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/rTwTHjdWsZG.xcr84JNzGg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0MA--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/homerun/feed_manager_auto_publish_494/3aacfbbf5f754e1aaf01c504eaccb721)
Amir has always been open about his Muslim faith and it was previously revealed that he was provided with special halal meals during his recent I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! stint to keep in line with his beliefs.
The star has not yet responded to the backlash his latest Instagram post has faced and Yahoo Celeb UK have contacted his reps for comment.
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