Tesco's new Christmas ad featuring Muslim family prompts calls for boycott

A number of people have called for a boycott of British supermarket chain Tesco after it released a new Christmas TV advertisement featuring a Muslim family.

The minute-long advertisement includes a scene in which three Muslim women and a young child embracing each other and exchanging bags at a front door.

Some have taken to Twitter to express their disapproval of the advertisement, noting that Muslims do not celebrate Christmas.

"@Tesco why are you showing Muslims celebrating Christmas in your advert. That's just wrong, we all know they don't!!!" a Twitter user wrote, according to Birmingham Mail.

"How dare you feature a Muslim family in your CHRISTMAS advert!!! They do not celebrate CHRISTIAN festival! #willnotshopintesco," another one said.

This was the first time that Muslims were featured in a marketing campaign by Tesco. Some Twitter users hit back at the criticisms by commending the supermarket chain for its efforts to feature different families in the advertisement.

"Well I say well done. @Tesco for your Christmas advert feat a Muslim family I think it's wonderful to share the day with everyone!" one wrote.

According to Premier, the advertisement, which shows different families celebrating Christmas over a traditional Turkey dinner, was part of the supermarket chain's "Everyone's Welcome" campaign.

The supermarket chain has since issued a statement saying everyone should be able to celebrate the festive season.

"Everyone is welcome at Tesco this Christmas and we're proud to celebrate the many ways our customers come together over the festive season," a Tesco spokesman said, according to The Sun.

Some social media users have also accused the supermarket chain of "erasing" Christmas from its shelves, although others have pointed out that one of its products feature the words "Merry Christmas."

Tesco's Christmas campaign has also sparked complaints about halal meat as the retailer had announced that it will not be selling halal-certified Turkeys over the festive season.

"What's the point of having a Muslim family in the ad if not including them by catering for them?" wrote Zohra Khaku, CEO of Halal Gems.

Tesco has previously been threatened with boycotts after it was suspected of selling unlabeled halal meat. The supermarket chain explained that some of its meat products are processed to halal standards, but the company does not specify to its suppliers that halal practices should be followed.

The retailer has since clarified on social media that all halal meat will be properly labeled and no customer will be sold halal meat without their knowledge.