Should Piggy Banks be Banned by British Banks for Promotional Purposes?

Apparently some British banks are banning piggy banks because they fear they may offend some Muslims.

In England, Halifax and NatWest banks have led the move to rid themselves of the historical icon of saving from being given to children or used in their advertising.

Islamic culture deems the pig to be an impure animal and Muslims do not eat pork. Whether this then translates to shunning institutions that use piggy banks in advertising and promotions, is questionable. However, Salim Mulla, secretary of the Lancashire Council of Mosques, is one who backed the bank move. He believes that the banks should be considerate of their Muslim patrons.

However, the move brought accusations of political correctness gone mad from critics.
" The next thing we will be banning Christmas trees and cribs and the logical result of that process is a bland uniformity," the Dean of Blackburn, Reverend Christopher Armstrong, said. "We should learn to celebrate our difference, not be fearful of them." Khalid Mahmoud, the Labour MP for a Birmingham seat and one of four Muslim MPs in Britain, likewise criticized the piggy-bank ban.

We live in a multicultural society and the traditions and symbols of one community should not be obliterated just to accommodate another," Mr Mahmoud said. "I doubt many Muslims would be seriously offended by piggy banks."

Interestingly, no mention has been made about the reactions of those of Jewish faith who also do not eat pork and view the pig as unclean.

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