Getty Christmas has been banned from being mentioned on a menu over fears it could offend Muslims

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A function held at the Austrian embassy in Germany still served traditional festive fare such as Lebkuchen but rebranded them as 'winter delicacies'. The event was a presentation by the Chairman of the Central Council of Muslims in Germany, Aiman Mazyek, who has written the book What Do Muslims Do at Christmas?: Islamic Faith in Everyday Life in Germany. The invitation to guests, from ambassador Nikolaus Marschik, was described as a “cosy get-together with winter delicacies.”

A reporter attending the event wanted to know exactly what the Austrians suddenly considered "winter delicacies" and asked the embassy for a clarification. The ambassador then admitted that the traditional Christmas foods had been rebranded out of respect for Islam.

Getty Chairman of the Central Council of Muslims Aiman Mazyek

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The Austrian embassy said the description was meant to include Lebkuchen, the local name for gingerbread usually served at Christmas, as well as Kipferln, a type of croissant, and beer and wine, and that the term had been chosen out of consideration for Islam. Journalist Gunnar Schupelius said: "It is advent season, we are on the territory of the Austrian Republic, they invite Christians and Muslims for a talk about Christmas and offer Christmas delicacies that cannot be called Christmas delicacies."

Getty Traditional Austrian Kipferln

Ambassador Marschik admitted it was "a foolish mistake."

Aiman Mazyek Chairman of the Central Council of Muslim in Germany Aiman Mazyek