Woodgrove shopping centre has quashed rumours it has no Christmas nativity display this year because of complaints from the Muslim community.
Social media users blasted the Melton centre’s Facebook site last week when rumours spread there was no traditional display because small numbers of “non-believers don’t like it”.
A centre spokesman said the nativity display was removed last year, and would not be used this year, because a risk assessment found parts of the structure were a potential fire risk.
There were no complaints about the display’s removal.
But when there was no nativity display this year, rumours began on the centre’s Facebook page that this was because of opposition from the Muslim community.
In a statement to Star Weekly centre manager Greg Balmforth said that whoever posted the Facebook comment had not spoken to anyone from the centre.
“If an inquiry had been received, we would have immediately confirmed that centre management received no complaints regarding our Christmas decorations or Christmas-related events from any member of the community,” Mr Balmforth said.
“Our first priority is to do as much as we can to protect the safety of shoppers and visitors to the centre who choose to enjoy their time with us.
“To suggest the nativity scene was removed for any other reason is entirely disingenuous and we steadfastly hope the community accepts our position on the matter as fact.”
Some Facebook posters said they were deeply offended and disappointed by the absence of this year’s nativity display.
“I fail to understand how an Australian tradition can just be removed because a small majority of non-believers don’t like it,” one post read.
“Your management should be ashamed of themselves for allowing this to happen. Deeply offended.”
And even though Woodgrove’s marketing team responded to almost all posts clarifying the situation, some were not appeased.
“Here’s an idea: have a nativity and other religious decorations,” one woman wrote. “This is Australia, we are supposed to be multicultural.”
