“For us, St. Nicholas must be environmentally friendly, respectful of religions, and intersectional,” the mayor said.
The mayor of the Saint-Gilles neighbourhood in Brussels has said he would like to make Saint Nicholas, the Christian saint associated with Christmas, more Moroccan in order to connect with the residents of his area.
Saint-Gilles Mayor Jean Spinette stated that he would be open for Saint Nicholas to embrace Moroccan culture during the annual December 6th event in which a man dressed as the saint visits local schools in the area, Sudinfo reports.
Spinette stated that his government has relations with the Moroccan city of Berkane and that many of the residents of his area originate from the region. “It’s a way to find a connection with the Muslim community in the town,” he said. “You should know that many people living in Saint-Gilles are from this region of Morocco.”
