After reading half the ridiculous comments on this site I am quite disgusted.
It seems quite clear that most of the people attacking Muslims for getting offended, can't read.
Perhaps these illiterate idiots would like to get someone else to read the article for them because then they would realise that no Muslim has complained about this book and it is the judges of the award who decided to get offended on the Muslims behalf.
If you want to see the reaction of the average Muslim to this silly decision then I suggest that you have a look at Muslim blogs who all seem really annoyed that yet again Muslims have been made to look through no fault of their own.
I would suggest UmmahPulse.com as a good place to start. They have a good post up about this issue. Go have a look and stop getting worked up over a non-issue for Muslims.

Monica, Milton Keynes,

I wonder if this Judge can help with one of our greatest "concerns" - The Iraq and Afghanistan wars which were started by Bush & Blair. Can he please cancel those wars?
They are extremely offending to 99.99% of world's Muslims. Hundreds of thousands killed and millions displaced...

'Three Little Pigs' are only offensive to 1 or 2 % of Muslim fanatics.

Thank you good Judge.

Mohammed, London, UK

so will the govt listen and realise that this is the majority of Britain talking? Even our Islamic friends are saying don't patronise us...quit building more divisions.
One has to wonder who's interest it is in to keep us always at each other's throats.

Jim, London, UK

First, I should like to know which is true: the opening statement of the article saying the book was rejected on pc grounds or the claim by the award backrs that is was rejected on broad criteria. However, if the first is indeed the case, I should like I should like the individual perpetrators of this silliness to be named so they can be subjected to the public riducule they would richly deserve.

Geoffrey, Sydney,

I welcome the ban. As the owner of a brick home I have always been concerned about the implication in this story that I may have exploited animals in its building. Hopefully Snow White will also be banned because of the implication that white people are drug addicts; and as for that Jack with his bean stalk - filth!

Glen, Melbourne,

Stories like this always bring out the kind of degenerate divisionist mind set that is thankfully a minority in our country. This was not done or asked for by Muslims so don’t go blaming us. Its a case of damned if we do and damned if we don’t. There is nothing the Muslim community can do to appease the little Englanders, what we can do is continue to promote ourselves as good citizens and tackle the kind of pc nonsense that is perpetrated in our cause.

Wasim , Edin, Scotland

I'M MUSLIM but what I just read makes me feel like some people are just trying to build up more dislike for the religion.

I grew up reading the three little pigs tale and I love it.... it's no way offensive... and if I ever have children... I'll be reading them the tale.

It's a shame that the people who have their voices heard tend be the poorly educated and closed-minded people.

Mohammed, London,

Legalize against PC.

Andras, London, UK

If it's offensive to muslims, who don't eat pig, tell me why it isn't offensive to Jews?

Oh yes. That's because Jews get on with their lives and accept other people's differences. But Muslims are obsessed with finding offence in everything, changing laws to suit them and converting everyone else. As a non-Jew and a non-Muslim, I can tell you which religion I'm increasingly warming to with every single incident like this!!

HG, London, UK

I think we should just assume at this point that Muslims will be offended at just about everything and move on.

Jeff, Sacramento/CA, USA

It makes me sick. Enjoy the three litle pigs story, eat a bacon roll, have pork chops, eat a pork roast and to hell with those who don't like our way of living.

Mr Hogg

Mr Hogg, london,

Well, we can't propose dropping these politically correct twits down the chimney into the boiling pot of water, can we? It might give offence to them, too!

S. Barraclough, Huddersfield, W. Yorkshire

Ban PC

Andras, London, UK

" the cowboy is the state primate." Yeah....

S. Barraclough, Huddersfield, W. Yorkshire

Winston Churchill: "Cats look down on us, dogs look up to us but pigs treat us as equals"

Ian, London, UK

Although this particular 'problem' may not have been raised by Muslims, they have demanded , and been granted, changes to plenty of things which we take for granted as British. So far they have always been deferred to, to the extent that left-wing nutters now protest on their behalf.
The reason why Jews are not mentioned in these pig-alarm stories is probably because British Jews have never made demands that the majority change laws and customs to suit them, unlike Muslims. That is why there is a growing anti-Muslim feeling in this country. Most of the demands they make are cultural, not religious, eg the covering of the face in public. Would a Christian, or a Jew for that matter, be allowed into shops and banks in a full-face balaclava? One rule for them, and one for the rest of us, and getting more so every day. As many other people have said, if that's how they want to live, they should go and do so in a Muslim country.

Emilia, North Yorkshire,

How many of these judges are actually muslims? Don't they think being patronising is offensive? These people really need to get out in the real world and see what is really offensive and if I was a muslim, I would find them extremely offensive.

Kim, London,

to be fair to the wishy-washy social worker types who made this ridiculous decision, if they are a little over-cautious when it comes to moslem sentiment, it may be in some small way due to having witnessed the overreaction to past indiscretions. when you've seen masked men demanding beheadings in the streets of london after the publication of some cartoons in denmark, the temptation is not to rock the boat.

of course, it's a temptation that should be resisted, but whilst it is always good to see comments such of those as mohammed and n. khan, it is also important to stamp out any hint of extremism.

if these doers of good go over the top in their predictions of what might offend moslems, let's not forget what petty and irrational offence has been taken over the naming of teddy bears, for example. instead of pandering to that kind of zealotry, we should be screaming that the subjugation of women is unacceptable. cultural, I'm sure, not religious. islam is peace, after all.

jem, london, uk

I never thought I'd see the day when the British would allow such a thing to happen!

Jim, Greenville, SC, South Carolina

Pathetic. I thought we'd reach the bottom of the pit when it comes to the cancer of political correctness but clearly we have a long way to go (if inded there is a bottom). Do these judges believe that if the shoe was on the other foot an equivalent book would have been banned in Saudi Arabia or Iran for fear of upsetting Westerners. No, but we continue to pacify extremism with gutless, surrender style policies like this which move those trying to be tolerant further towards intolerance. My contempt for gutless, bleeding heart, liberal do-gooders grows ever deeper.

Andrew, Stevenage, UK

Another example of society all over the world capitulating to Muslim dogma out of an appeasement mindset that is simply liberal folly. It is without question open season on persecuting Judaism and Christianity; there is no shortage of efforts by liberal judges and politicians to take God out of daily living, just as there is no shortage of practicing Muslims that are taught all other people outside the Muslim people are not worthy of friendship and deserve to die as infidels. But appeasement through ignorance continues at breakneck pace worldwide, and these continued gestures, such as worrying about The Three Little Pigs, will make the alignment of Hitler's brownshirts look like a boy scout jamboree.

Don, Wichita, KS

It seems that speech either vocal or written should be banned. I'm sorry that sentence just offended speech writers, speakers, men of the cloth, oh crap just did it again offended another sector of the population. OK, here is the only solution, don't talk or put anything in writing because you may offend someone. If you get offended over written word or what someone has said, sounds like it's your problem and KEEP YOUR PROBLEMS TO YOURSELF!!!!!

Tom, Hanahan, USA/SC

have the judges gone mad ? come on, we live in a multi cultural society allright, but that does not mean that we live and work normally instead of worrying what colours hurt another faith, what food hurts or may be offensive...
where is britian heading to? and this comes from a muslim !!

shripad, normanton,

I thought this junk went on only in the U.S.

Gary, Phoenix, Arizona, USA

Suze from antwerp, Belgium says-

"I can't believe my eyes whilst reading this..... "

You can't- i can.

Try visit Bradford, England.

For anyone- Christian, Hindu, Jew, Sikh, Black or White- if they think that that is a well thought out and socially stable situation in Bradford and other parts of Yorkshire, then there could be an ulterior motive why they're saying it.

Probably there was more trust, respect and interaction between the opposing Governments that peeped over the Berlin Wall than the Western and Muslim communities that oppose each other in the city of Bradford.

Yorkshire's buggered- but, hey- at least the authorities are clamping down on nursery rhymes.

We'll sleep easier now.

Jez W, Leeds,

so now I could find the new version offensive. 3 cowboys. Usually slang for Americans. So now my interpetation of the rewrite would be 3 American Cowboys Builder Pigs? Will they change it again. Probably not.
When do we just take the lesson from the story without looking for a reason to be insulted. Sometimes in our effort to to not insult one group we insult others. Take the story for what it is. Many things have been written that insult someone. The true grace is not falling into the trap and crying foul, but living your beliefs inspite of.

Kathryn, ALL AMERICAN, USA

Why is everyone directing your anger toward Muslims? They didn't make this stupid decision, some white Christian judge did. Read it before starting to bash Muslims for something they had nothing to do with.

Mike, Albuquerque, USA/NM

Though it is tempting to think of the PC left as a pack of idiots, this incident is demonstrative of thier agenda and slyness. By loudly proclaiming a simple tale would be offensive to muslims they immediatly create an us vs. them mind-set and in doing so provide themselves with what they need most--victims. The PC crowd are the only people who live in a perpetual state of offense and without an aggrieved group with whom they can claim solidarity they will be seen for what they are. Petty, self-important, whineing, useless, petulant, spoiled children who want to have their way on everything and would see all freedom limited to get it. It should be obvious to anyone that it is not muslims creating this controversy, but rather those who would have them demonized so the PC saviours can ride the rescue. The lot of them should be ignored, ridiculed, and booted out of any position of authority.

Clay Palmer, Dallas, TX, USA

I think everyone needs to just grow up and realize that getting offended is not the end of the world, just like BK from Brussels Belguim said. Hats off to you and to Suze, antwerp, Belguim. I agree with you both.

Everyone somewhere at some point in their life will get offended. People can choose to be offended or not. This is taking this "offense thing too far". This story has been around for years and years....simply long before muslims ever lived in this country or anywhere else that would tell this story.

You want to hear something that is really offensive? Let illegal immigrants come to your country and take your benefits and schooling opportunities away from you and you have to pay for it and their medical ..while you and others go without medical care.....and there's nothing you can do about it!!...legally that is!!

Now this is offensive....not the little piggy that went to market!

Vince, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

There are simple historico-geographical reasons why the Semitic peoples considered pigs unclean and prohibited the consumption of pork (in spite of it being a very good source of protein). That's their choice. We more northerly peoples quickly learned to salt and smoke pig-meat to preserve it, and everything from bratwurst to boudin, from bacon to jambon de pays, is a cornucopia to us. Live and let live - we love pig meat, they don't - chacun son gout. As the Jewish writer Arnold Wesker recalls, his grandfather used to say to him when he wanted to give the lad a real treat, "let's go and get a bacon butty, but don't tell your grandma!". That's the spirit!

JF, Canterbury, UK

How on Earth do these silly fools jump from muslims not eating pork to muslims should be offended by any mention of a pig anywhere? I don't eat dog, but I'm not offended by characters like Pluto or Goofy. The three little pigs story doesn't even advocate eating pigs. In fact, the character attempting to eat them is usually depicted as the "bad guy."

This hypersensitivity regarding islam has got to stop. If anyone really is offended by a book because some of the characters are pigs, then that's the fault of those unintelligent, intolerant nitwits. If simple things like this offends anyone, that's obviously their own problem, a symptom of their own intolerance.

All actions like this do is to reinforce the inane notion that the people should change their own culture based on the whims of another.

Muslims and Westerners need to learn to accept and tolerate each others' differences - not be offended by one another.

I eat bacon, and if that offends you, touch cookies.

Jason Thornton, SAN DIEGO, CA

Who are these people that are telling us what is offensive and what is not? What is PC and what is not PC. What we can say and what we can't say?
Our world has become so thin skinned, that i want to say to everyone, "Stop crying, grow up, get a life, and leave the rest of us the hell alone."

Douglas, Grand Rapids, Mi.

England continues down its path of cultural suicide.

Mark, Chicago, Illinois, USA

For once, I have to take the Muslim side on this. This is purely a retarded left wing functionary that deserves to be fired. Islam has lots to apologize for, but not this. The fault here lies purely with badly educated, politically misguided, and probably just plain stupid bureacrats.

Bary, Toronto, Canada

WHAT??!!

I agree that Political correctness IS killing this country. And the funny thing is, in most cases the said 'offended' party is never actually that offended, its always do-gooders trying not to offend them.

I think its sad, first we're told that the Christmas Nativity is being scrapped and now this.

You can be patriotic, celebrate Christmas (or other Christion festivals), and stand up for what you believe in without offending others or being racist/facist/politically incorrect or anything else like that!

I'll still be reading the three little pigs, and singing Baa baa black sheep to my kids in the future!

Charlotte, Swindon, UK

What a joke. We're not allowed to eat pigs! We're allowed to read stories about them!

Mohammed, London, UK

Hear hear messiah, earth, world. Well said.

Sascha, London,

This is an outrage, the government gone mad its a story nothing more, no sinister meaning.
The story has been arround longer than most of the people who are making these silly silly claims - another reason why racism is so high i'm dissapointed that the county i love is turning into a country where everyine is scard to speak!!!

millie, manchester, gr manchester

How is it that the muslim minority (2+m) in this country (62+m) is reshaping it to suit themselves.
Their intolerance and our naivity combine to make us a de facto puppet of islam. what a shame.

howard, london,

No Muslims complained over this.
Im Muslim and a teenager, I LOVE the story and in no way find it offensive.

Political correctness is killing this country.

Laila, London,

If all builders were cowboys, there would be no point writing the book. Are all secret agents sadistic misogynists with alcohol and gambling dependencies? Are all Russian women adulterers? Did all Greek kings kill their fathers and marry their mothers? Did Edwardian women only ever marry men called "Ernest"?

Fiction describes things which are not so. That is what makes it fiction.

Ian Kemmish, Biggleswade, UK

White, middle-aged, middle-class types working for the government have unilaterally decided on behalf of the UK's Muslim population that they would find the book offensive.

Perhaps next the gov't could actually censor pigs - cover them with tarps or something. And then we could all call them 'the porcine breed' as code so that no one's sensitive ears get burned. And of course, bacon should be disguised as horse meat, and ham as goat meat, just in case any Muslims (or Jews) come across it in the supermarket.

That would settle all our differences in a deep and honest manner. Stupid us! It was the PIGS all along that were the cause of all the antipathy!

I declare a War on Pigs!

James Kingdom, West Morland, uk

The 3 little pigs tale shows the pig at its most intelligent.
I still like to eat pork though.

Leigh , Wellington, new zealand

All religions are the source of all evil and hatred in this world. People are very dumb to believe in ANY superior being. It is just ludicrious. No good has come of religion only WAR. It is quite pathetic that pigs in a cartoon offend someone. You know what, They offend me. Live your life as a good human being and respect every man, woman and child that breaths like you. You do not need imaginary fear drilled into your mind. Respect all life.

Messiah, Earth, World

On that criteria, all books are offensive to someone, especially religious tomes!
Let the book burning commence!
Isn't there freedom of reading in the UK? Are the people forced to read every book?

I fear for Britain.

R. Long, Port Hedland, Western Australia

A Story is a Story, It will remain & continue to remain a good story crossing all boundaries, racial or ethnic.
Lets keep it that way. I being a muslim still love the stories that I learn & Heard by my mum & Grandmother. Lets not deprive our children of them

A Ghouse, Colombo, Sri Lanka

What in the hell has happened to the country that ruled the world and the waves? A large number of us Yanks used to look to the Brits, with pride, knowning our fathers came from there. I guess it's time to rethink

Ratliff, Richmond, Va., USA

I'm personally offended by the assuming over protective political correctness that has gripped out society. It's time to stamp this sort of rubbish out and get on with the more important things in life.

Jo, York,

It's an animal, people. A pig is an animal, eat them or not. A cow is an animal, eat them or not. A chicken is an animal, eat them or not. Pigs will always be pigs, cows will always be cows. Cartoons are full of these critters, and you know what, children of all ages and cultures love those cartoons !
Where is Bugs Bunny when you need him ? By the way, I, myself, have hunted wabbits before....

John, Hutto, TEXAS

Muslims are the most intolerant of all people. They want everyone else to bow down to their desires while threatening to show their outrage (the usual mass rioting and destruction). The timid little politicians and host countries will be taken over by sheer demographics in the long run so the timid little politicians and host country people may as well get use to being subjugated. Another step closer for the Muslims to take over Europe. Oh what a shame.

mick, atlanta, us/georgia

That sound you heard was government officially hitting rock bottom.

Mike, Chicago,

It is similar to making the endings of stories written by H. Ch. Andersen or The Brothers Grimm less drastic not to cause trauma in children - ludicrous!!

Justyna, London,

I don't know a single muslim who would be offended by it. Anyone who claims they are is looking for trouble, and anyone who says it should be taken out because it offends muslims is just causing problems for them.

The judge is non-muslim, why is he talking for them? This is making people think that muslims are fussy about everything.

Read the other comments you will see that people actaully think it is muslims that are bothered by it. Just like people think it's other cultures that make you take off your christmas decorations etc.

Nobody cares! it's your country keep your culture!

faris, chicago, illinois

I am offended that my boss said he would not pay me if I didn't show up to work. I'm filing a law suit for $20 million. I can't go on with life!!!

John Smalley, Ft Collins, CO

What else is on the agenda? Are we going to remove from all of the existing supermarkets all the products produced with pork fat and all of the pork meat ? are we going to prohibit to the pig farmers to breed pigs and to encourage them to change their way of making living? Which century we live in and what we are talking about? Are we a multicultural or somehow tend to become to be a monocultural society? Who knows...

Elaine, London,

Would it be more acceptable to call the book The Three Little Police Men! We are used to the public calling us pigs. Funny, I never took offence at it though.

Lynn, Portugal,

are you kidding me?

Patrick, USA,

and what happens to all this stories where ogres eat children??

Doesn't it be an offense to our children? It's like canibalism!

Aina, Barcelona, Spain

What in the world is next? Muslims and others need to grow up, act like adults and worry about important stuff. Why is the world giving in to Muslims and afraid that we might hurt someones feelings?

Tony Dankowski, Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA

If Western Society continues to acquiesce on what has become a never-ending stream of such 'complaints' it will find itself 'painted' into a corner from which there is no escape.

Mark , Indianapolis, U.S.A. Indiana

We, as educators and parents, should first and foremost help our children getting by in an increasingly multicultural world by teaching them to accept various stances and beliefs. This does not include teaching them to think and say the same things!
Our children will sometimes be offended like we are in life. It is not the end of the world. They have to learn to deal with it. Is it not part of growing up, even in a monocultural world?

Europe should be proud of its century-old tales and cherish them. If we really believe there is a need for understanding these tales better- explain them, talk, but never ban them and deprive your children of thier cultural legacy. It mostly is something to be proud of. To instill a healthy portion of pride in a child, I believe, is the best antidote to envy and bitterness as it makes tomorrow's adults confident and open to new ways of seeing things. Without this pressure of having to agree or think everything "okay".
Or not.

BK, Brussels, Belgium

please people dont say any stupid nonsense against muslims! im a muslim n i personally am not offended by the book but maybe this issue has been brought up for the reason to go against muslims when it isnt even the muslims who are saying anything. please find out what the real truth is before writing any nonsense against muslims!

Mariam, london,

I can't believe my eyes whilst reading this.....

What other tales are you going to find as beeing offenssive to one or other minotitygroup....

The story is what its....a tale we all knew as children and enjoyed very much....

What about the wicked stepmothers in Snowwhite an Cinderella?

What about the witch who wanted to eat Hansl and Gretl?

And parents who drop their children in the woods without food?

Be real....

Suze, antwerp, Belgium

And why, exactly, is it our task in life to protect Muslims from being offended?

It is very sad and unfortunate that they have this affliction of being offended by almost everything anyone does, but it is hardly our fault, and one doubts whether any changes in our behaviour will affect it.

It might be more productive to concentrate on helping them manage their feelings Perhaps we need to consider offering free psychotherapy to help them come to terms with them?

Frederic, Paris, France

I agree with several other posts here. Get over it! Many things that Muslims do deeply offends me. I am sick of everyone saying that Christianity offends them or whatever. That offends me! Why are we so worried about offending someone anyway? Inevitable situations in life are, at times, offensive--grow up and get over it! So what if your feeling get hurt--get over it!

Jabe, Coden, USA

IWay to go! Insert foot , American readers. As an American, who grew up in your country, many of you do not even know Muslims, but you presume to speak for them. How dare you. I'm glad most Brits figured this one out. It's simple. No Muslim complained about this book. The PC Left Wing complained. As far as I know, I am not offended by a pig in a story book, and I am Muslim. My mom read me the book too, so don't blame it on Muslims!. Why do you people keep presuming to speak for all of us! Go visit a mosque and meet some people. Your lives are sad. Thank you Britain, for seeing through this load of rubbish.

Seddiki, Austin, TX

I agree with Mark from Orange, USA. We are going backwards. This nonesense with being politically correct has got to stop. Not matter what humans do, it will always offend someone somewhere. That's life - life is hard and sadly to say the harder and meaner it is while you're growing up better prepares you for handling the REAL world for when you leave the nest. We need to get over it. All we're doing is raising a bunch of little pansies who will learn to be fearful of speaking up for what they believe in and defend themselves while still being self-centered enough to want the government to do everything for them. This is what your one-world government wants! This is their plan - and it's working.

Will, Austin, USA

ok, this is just plain silly. The three little pigs might be offensive to Muslims because Muslims don't eat pork? Jews don't eat pork either by the way. this whole PC movement has gotten completely out of hand, to the point that some people are concerned that we might be offending people who aren't even offended! Jews and Muslims aren't fearful of pigs, they don't put pigs on some religious pedestal, they don't want pigs erradicated from the planet, they just don't EAT pork! I don't eat bananas. Should I be offended every time Chiquita has a commercial on tv? Should we ban peanut butter ads because it might offend those that are deathly allergic? After all, wouldn't a peanut butter commercial, viewed by someone who could die by eating pb, be like encouraging them to committ suicide???? enough already!

Laura C, Liberty Township, usa

As a resident of the state of Texas, USA, I take offense to the slurs against cowboys in this story. Just as the Mockingbird is the state bird of Texas, the cowboy is the state primate. On behalf of all Texans, I call for the suppression of this scurrilous tale.

Bob, Austin, USA/Texas

The books should have been judged on the literary content and appropriateness for children. There should have been no censorship based on religion as there was no religious content or attack thereon. These control freaks are aspiring 'pigs' from George Orwells 'Animal Farm'. Shame for freedom in the UK.

Andy R, Pittsburgh, USA

On behalf of all freedom-loving wolves, I applaud the decision of the judges not to advance the one-sided racist piggies cause.
Bud, Connecticut, USA

Bud Harvey, West Hartford, Connecticut, USA

I am the third pig. I build my house with bricks.

nonplussed, London,

Who cares? The fact that they consider me an infidel offends me, but I don't go crying about it. It is unfortunate that creativity is not recognized because someone feels that someone may be offended.....not that they actually were offended....just that someone thought they would be.

Jon, america, US

This is absolutely ridiculous. I am a Muslim and I have to read aggressive, anti-Muslim comments based on the ludicrous judgement of a non-Muslim judge....

My children go a private, islamic school and they do have the Three Little Pigs in their school library, and they do have Charlotte's Web on their summer reading list.... What's next! Is anyone going to say that Winnie the Pooh is offensive to Muslims because of Piglet ????? Let us try to be serious for once!! This judge has to either have done this on purpose to create resentment against the Muslim community or, I'm sorry, be totally stupid.

We are not allowed to eat pork, that's it!! If my children want to read a book on pigs or pet one on a trip to the farm (provided it's pretty much mud-free ;-) ), they're welcome to. Let's not transform Islam into what it's not and invent new rules never created by God !

Isabelle

Isabelle, New Jersey, USA

If this were the 13th century, I would have less trouble reading an artical like this. As a civilization, we are getting stuck in reverse. Freedom of the press is becoming just a sad joke. All of England and Europe had better wake up. Sadly, it just may be too late.

Mark, Orange, USA

"I'm from the government and I'm here to help us all just get along."

John Menefee, Bellville, Texas

Our world has come to the point that political corrrectness and the "potential" to offend individuals and/or groups of people is creating a very sensored world. A child's story is just that a child's story. We are bombarded with stories of extreme violence and death, brother against brother, parent against child, child against parent that a simple children's story would be a delight (as long as these things are not included). These types of action only enforces prejudices against race, religous sects, economic class, etc. Fear of creating one offense only creates an offense towards another. It's time we get back to simple basics and God.

Cae, Louisville, KY USA

Oh PLLLLLLLLLLLLLEASE. I grew up knowing this story 60 years ago. If it offends them THEN I SAY your Koran offends me. We are being a world off tip toeing around. Our fore fathers are rolling over in their graves. The Muslums have to just get over it. Many things they complain about have been in OUR lives almost forever. THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: let's ban something we think WE would get offended by that they have in their livestyles.

Linda, Worcester, Ma USA

All this claptrap about religion offends me - an atheist. For a supposed civilised, 21st century world this type of thing is just utter nonsense.

Conway, Herts,

Mark from Hull has such original comments....

Michael Laughton, Runcorn, UK

What on earth is the U.K. coming to!!
This is an absolute disgrace that sends completely the wrong message. A childs strory book about pigs and cowboy builders is now deemed to offensive and sensitive to a minority of people whom in most cases wouldn't even bat an eyelid about it.

Unfortunately all this does is alienate the minorites (muslims specifically) from the majority of the population whom again in most cases are slowly but surely being alienated by their own government and its short sighted pig headed associates!!!!!

Steve, Jhb,

Don't you see it is actions and decisons like this that make people feel anger towards the "protected".

Todd Moore, Ohio, USA

Serves us right in this country! There is no commonality of Faith that binds us together, which is why idiotic political correctness wins all the time.

Annie, Cambridge, UK

The real purpose behind this is to ultimately prevent anyone from saying anything about anyone. Stifle opinion. Keep people from expressing themselves. Let's ask Nanny Government first for permission to say or write something.

Bob, Bayport, NY, USA

So are pigs offensive to Muslims? Unclean to eat, yes, but I've never heard of jihad against swine. Meanwhile, my family ARE cowboy builders, who undoubtedly will love this story for their children. Way to wreck the world by being overly sensitive, oops, hope that didn't offend you.

Christopher Lee, NMSU, New Mexico

Mohammed offends me! Strike his name from all things, be it Teddy bears, soap, or shoe inserts. We shall triumph over you!!!

Derek, Essex, U.K.

It might offend Muslims, so what! It is part of my childhood and of every British child and if these people want to be British they can put up with it, or go home to a country where they blow up statues or flog women and cut off heads for adultery.
I have lived in a muslim country for four years and we new that anything we did not like, we had to keep our mouths shut about it or risk sacking and deportation.
I do not approve of the BNP but I think there will be a big rise in votes for them at the next election unless this sort of nonsense is not turned around soon

homer, ely,

WOW, this is amazing. I wonder why the judges didn't think the story was offensive to the Jewish population of England. PC goes overboard once again.

Craig, Washington, DC, USA

All I have to say is are you kidding me? Perhaps I'll start a grass roots movement to protest the defamation of leprechauns and of the Irish in general in film and in the media around St. Patrick's day.

Kathleen, Upstate, NY USA

As a Muslim builder, I am deeply offended at the judges' paternalistic and condescending view of my sensitivities as a rational adult.

Ahmed, London,

So let's get it straight - no Muslims complained. The judges simply capitulated. And today's results are:

Al'Quaeda 1 - United Kingdom 0

KR, Stockport,

Why should Muslims be surprised at what measures the West is taking in order not to offend them? Cartoons drawn in Denmark spark riots in the Middle East, a teacher names a bear Mohammed and is threatened with death, Van Gogh makes a film and is murdered in cold blood. If Muslims are afraid that these things make them look bad, they are entirely correct. The problem is, its not the West that is doing it, its themselves.

K.Smith, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Well said, Andy Williams of Cradley Heath! Only by uniting will we stop this arrant nonsense.

Archie, Thrapston, England

I'm sure muslims understand that the story isn't meant to upset them.
how about a wolf tries to eat a veggie burger?
no one can be offended then...

SJ, Cornwall, UK

Who are the people who make these decisions? 38 comments on here and every one of them mocking these freaks.

Joe, London,

Why can these people not grow up?

Martin, Newmarket, Suffolk

The judges should be publicly sacked for offending the people of Great Britain with their pathetically misguided attempts at political corectness.
Thank you N.Khan and Mohammed, both from London, for your common sense understanding and approach.

Richard, Kiev, Ukraine

Fantastic to see sensible opinions being voiced by British muslims. N. Khan and Mohammed are quite correct that it is the paranoid, liberal martyrs who cause the problem with their seemingly inate belief that every minority group will find offence in the most basic aspects of British culture.

Adam, Alicante, Spain

Authors and publishers can deal with this nonsense easily by refusing the Bett committee permission to review their books. The whole industry should get behind a ban and those that have received awards should refuse them.

Andy Williams, Cradley Heath,

This is not the action of a Muslim, rather a few PC retentives who suppose that they are in the best position to rule about what they imagine people's sensibilities to be. Can't the Muslim community be allowed to exercise their own judgement in these matters, so they are not continually exploited by idiotic stories like this one. Islam is not somehow uniquely devoid of common sense. The good news is that this kind of rubbish has a habit of bringing everyone together against the petty-minded bureaucrats who swing their silly whips.

David Masu, Zürich,

When are people going to wake up to the reality that we are traditionally and predominately a white, Christian society?
Democracy works upon the principal that the opinions of the majority are the ones that rule the country, which is fair. Why can't this apply to all aspects of life? I agree with Mohammed and N. Khan - are these governing bodies paranoid or is this what they genuinely believe?

R. Scotney, North Ferriby,

I'm offended that you feel that I will be offended by this.

Adam Webb, MK, UK

Mohammed, London, UK

Well said, absolute common sense.

Dean, Hants,

This country and the people that run it are a joke.
Why should Christians change there behaviour for others?
Some one tell me WHY.
Next thing you know I won't be able to buy bacon or pork chops from supermakets because it offends there Muslim customers.
Whats going on in this country?

dave, London,

It wasn't "left-wing white middle-class do-gooders" who persecuted a teacher because of her class naming a teddy bear Mohammed.

Alex Ritchie, Salisbury, UK

'Offensive' is about the most overused word in English right now. And I find that offensive.

Mikey, Bromley, Kent

Yet vagain we are displaying how bonkers we are in this country. What is wrong with us?

James, London, England

I am sick of the Muslims if they dont like the way we live here then go live in Muslims country this is secular western society, based around thouse views if you dont like go live else where.

The only thing that upsets me more is our goverment selling us down the river to appease them and thorwing our traditions and culture out the window to opease foreigners.

When is the goverment going to worrie about upsetting me or dont I count?

Mr Jones, Liverpool,

It's refreshing to hear that Muslims are as offended by this politically correct nonsense as anyone else. It would be great if more of the normal, level-headed Muslims in this country made their voices heard. Together we may have a chance to get rid of the idiotic do-gooders who have taken over the UK.

Chris, London,

Sadly another case of PC (pernicious cretinism, not political correctness) which has done nothing to help anybody. Is it not self-evident that stories like this are in fact damaging to the existance of a multi-cultural society? People begin to resent the rich diversity in our society as it results in their freedom of thought and speach being restricted.

Anthony, Frankfurt,

I fully support the views of N.Khan and Mohammed. Muslims are not halfwits that need protecting and mollycoddling. The patronising views expressed in the article by the Judges will only alinate the Muslim and Christian further as people attribute these views Muslims and not the Guardian readingt twerps who actually voiced them. (Sorry to all sensible Guardian readers - I am sure there are one or two of you!)

I myself live as a British Christian in Dubai - Do you think the Government here critisises publications or even gives a second thought to whether they are offending Christians? Of course not. As a result I feel in absolutely no way alienated because I am left alone. All that is asked in that proper respect is shown to their culture and customs. In return I am afforded the same respect. If only the UK could be so sensible.

James, Dubai, UAE

N. Khan and Mohammed have said pretty much what I came here to say. In short, this ridiculous and seemingly endless hand-wringing needs to stop. This sort of reaction merely draws negative attention to our Muslim friends, the overwhelming majority of whom wouldn't bat an eyelid at a story about three little pigs!

Philip, Brentwood, Essex

I've got to say that I whole heartedly agree with Mohammed and N.Khan - all of these decisions seem to be made by the 'christian' white middle classes themselves and never seem to stem from any actual Muslim demand or concern.

Once again we seen 'pre-emptive political correctness' becoming totally out of control !!

I think its time to leave british society alone now until a genuine concern is legitimately highlighted by one of the groups, Muslim or otherwise.

andy, Worthing, Sussex, UK

What about Christian being offended by Mulsims here in the UK.
When this no sense will stop?
If they don 't like the story,dont read it.
I am actually on a daily basis offended by religious people.

Marie, London, UK

Now I know this government with its pc laws is totally and absolutely bonkers

G Howard, Saffron Walden,

Political correctness gone mad:

It's not muslims or builders that need support and protection. But rather misguided and confused individuals that confuse political correctness with morality and decency.

Leif A. Larsen, Bergen, Norway

Don't blame the muslims for this lunacy. The fault clearly lies with the morons who thought it appropriate to reject the story because of alleged offence.
These people have by their actions made their decision counterproductive. The less enlightened among us will inevitably blame Muslims for this soory saga, when the blame lies with others. Stop it, it makes life very difficult for our Muslim compatriots.

pete Simmons, LDN,

My sentiments exactly Mohammed...
No Muslim is offended by The 3 Little Pigs, Miss Piggy, Wilbur the pig from Charlottes Web or anything else that people presume that we will find offensive. These things were never an issue 15-20 years ago. Why now? One cannot help but think this is all premeditated to inflame opinion against Muslims. This nonsense has to stop.

Mustafa, Istanbul, Turkey

This is another blatant example of the politically correct extravaganza...
Why should muslims or builders be offended? It is a children's book! And to be honest, depicting builders as cow-boys might even push some boys to become builders themselves!
I am very worried and afraid that, very soon, all cartoons etc will be banned, as most of them use animals to represent people.......... Give children a chance to for their own opinion for themselves and stop trying to spoon-feed them with your own views on society!

Benjamin, Liverpool,

Thank you the reader, Mohammed for speaking out against an overbearing and patronizing critique that in an attempt to be overtly, politically correct. As a plural society now, we can't live in a very sanitized environment. For this instance, we cannot use cow for a story or illustration as it may offend the Hindus. For the goodness of this wonderful country and the well-being of our selves, our children and the future generation, we all have to be more open, understanding, accommodating and we should not be narrow in our view and restrictive in our focus of the issue at large. This is clearly a case of sensitiveness gone overboard and beyond the realm of reasonableness!

Y King

Y. King, London, UK

No wonder the Indigenous population of Britain are leaving, the country just seems to get ever more ridiculous.

Kevin, Portsmouth,

Mark, if you read the comments from N. Khan and Mohammed, below your own, you'll see that it isn't in fact Muslims who are offended - it is other people being offended on their behalf. The politically correct approach is ludicrously over-sensitive - most people of all religions and none are far more tolerant of each other's beliefs.

Paul, Baku,

Jakers! - (the cartoon series).

Well it must be offensive too.
It's about a family of pigs!

And just remember what 'Jakers ' means! Jesus!

p.s. It's a great programme!

Iain Stewart, Sant Pere de Ribes, Spain.

It goes without saying that the judges, who rejected the ouvre for the award are raving racists in that they are anti-semites. Why else did they cite only the Muslim community as one to be offended by the display of unclean animals? Then again it may be that it is Muslims they are holding in contempt. Racist of some sort they certainly are. Two explanation are possible for the inconsistent standpoint of the judges. One is that their contempt of Jews is so deep that they do not as much as wish to acknowledge their existence as part of the wider community. The other is that they expect Jews to be far more intelligent than Muslims, i.e. expect them to be above to make a fuss about such manifestly non event, though, of course, Jews same as Muslims refrain from eating pork.

András, London, UK

Mark from Hull. Wake up. This wasn't suggested by Muslims, but by yet another dim wit government department with nothing better to do.

julian, shrewsbury, uk

Imagine what fun these idiots will have when they discover the book and the film of Animal Farm!!

Richard, Kings Langley, Herts

I was brought up in a liberal tollerant enviroment .. However..as per a previous poster, My attitude is hardening now, I am tired of all this PC madness, my politics has taken a major shift to the right.. I am sure I am not the only one !!!

Andy cooper, Charlbury,

What a load of excrement! Most Muslims I know find stories like this amusing. It only panders to the extremists who want us to live in fear. Tell these decision makers and thought police to get a life, or if they don't like it, go and live somewhere else and let the rest of us live in peaceful acceptance of each others beliefs.

Ron, Milton Keynes, Bucks

If the UK is such an offence place for Muslims to live then why do they come and live here? There are plenty of Muslim countries in the world, so just go live in one and leave the nice Christians alone to read books to their children about pigs.

Mark, Hull,

Why is it assumed people will be offended by things. This is a childrens story. If it offends anyone, then it is them that needs to get a reality check. Stop putting a bad name on groups of people who don't want it and don't deserve it. If we follow this kind of thought, then the mojority of things around today could be found to be 'offensive' to some kind of 'group'.

Louise, London,

"A children’s story based on the tale of the Three Little Pigs was rejected for an award after judges became concerned that it would offend Muslims."

Why should Muslims be blamed for decisions/concerns made by a (non-muslim) judge? His kindness will only backfire onto us.

Are people in Britain deliberately making these choices to make Muslims look bad?. We had feel bad at Christmas, nhs halal food, serving at sainsburys, school meals, piggy banks, teddy bears...its endless. Can people please stop being so "concerned" about Muslims...especially without asking for our opinion first. Thank you all in advance.

Mohammed, London, UK

Oh great here we go again, these kind of decisions are usually made by a bunch of left wing white middle-class do-gooders deciding what may be offensive to Muslims. These are the people (without actually asking Muslims themselves) who cancel Xmas, or hot cross buns at Easter because it may offend Muslims. If they lived in the real world they would know how popular the character Peppa the Pig is among Muslim kids and how Muslim families love the Xmas decorations and lights in Oxford St and at their local town centre.

N. Khan, London, U.K.