Queen's medal pulled for being too Christian

A medal created by Queen Elizabeth II has been replaced by a new award after having all references to Christianity removed from it, on the grounds that it is not fitting for Hindus and Muslims.

The Trinity Cross of the Order of Trinity, which is given to outstanding individuals from Trinidad and Tobago, was declared unlawful and subsequently will give way to the new Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, reports the Daily Mail.

People who have received the award include Trinidad and Tobago residents and cricketers Brian Lara and Garfield Sobers, as well as diplomats and politicians.

The original medal was in the shape of a cross. The new circular medal has been stripped of all religious symbols and features water, a sun and a map of Trinidad and Tobago.

The medal was first established by the Queen in 1969 and was the third highest decoration, after the Victoria and George Crosses. However, even at the time of its inception some questioned the use of the words “Trinity” and “Cross” in the medal and some refused to accept the honour.

The medal has now been declared unlawful by the Privy Council, which consists of 12 law lords, who argued that the medal discriminates against non-Christians.

Following the decision, Anand Ramlogan, attorney for the Hindu group Maha Saba, said, “It’s a vindication of the 40 years of disquiet and unease silently suffered by the Muslim and Hindu communities whose legitimate grievance with the Trinity Cross was flippantly dismissed by successive governments.”

Maba Saba and the Islamic Relief Centre have been campaigning against the medal since 2004.

Last year the government of Trinidad and Tobago announced the creation of the Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.

The country received its independence in 1962. The population is mainly Christian but is 24 per cent Hindu and five per cent Muslim.