Buses across the country are to carry a slogan praising Allah – just months after cinemas banned an advert featuring the Lord's Prayer.

Hundreds of buses will carry posters bearing the words 'Subhan Allah', which means 'Glory be to God' in Arabic, for an ad campaign paid for by the charity Islamic Relief.

The posters will appear in London, Manchester, Leicester, Birmingham and Bradford, which have large Muslim communities.

Islamic Relief, Britain's biggest Muslim charity, came up with the advertisements with the line 'Subhan Allah' - meaning 'Glory be to God' (pictured)

It has been timed to coincide with the holy month of Ramadan in June, when Muslims traditionally fast and give to charity.

But last night, Christian groups asked why the Islamic adverts had been approved when a one-minute film by the Church of England was banned by Britain's biggest cinema chains at Christmas.

Odeon, Cineworld and Vue refused to show an advert featuring the Archbishop of Canterbury and members of the public reciting the Lord's Prayer. They banned the advertisement – which was due to be screened before the new Star Wars film in December – fearing it could offend movie-goers.

Simon Calvert, of the Christian Institute, said he hoped the Allah advert 'signals the beginning of a new era of greater expressions of the Christian faith, which seems to have become persona non grata'.

He added: 'People were surprised by the cinema advertising agenda to ban the Lord's Prayer – something we all grew up with.

'Audiences are capable of hearing expressions of Christian faith without running away screaming in horror.'

England cricketer Moeen Ali is supporting the advertising campaign

Former Tory MP Ann Widdecombe said: 'If other religions are allowed to put their religious banners up, then so should Christians.'

Andrea Williams, director of Christian Concern, said the decision to allow the Allah advert whilst banning Christian ones highlighted the power of political correctness.

She added: 'Britain is a Christian country and we Christians need to find our voice.

'If we are allowing these adverts for Islam, then we need to give the Christians far more freedom to express themselves.'

Islamic Relief said the posters would help to raise funds for victims of war and disasters in countries such as Syria, and portray Islam in a positive light.

Director Imran Madden said: 'There is a lot of negativity around Muslims. We want to change the perception of Islam. The campaign is about breaking down barriers and challenging misconceptions.'

The slogans are most likely to resonate in London where about half of Britain's estimated three million Muslims live.

Labour's Sadiq Khan, the son of a bus driver, was elected as London Mayor on Thursday - the first person to hold the position and be a Muslim.

Mr Khan is now responsible for managing London's transport infrastructure.

Transport for London (TfL) can ban adverts on the buses it runs if it is linked to a 'political party or political cause'. However, there are no rules against religious advertising.

Back in 2012, then London mayor Boris Johnson intervened after adverts by a Christian charity linked to homophobia wanted to start a campaign on buses.

England cricketer Moeen Ali is supporting the initiative. He wants the adverts to encourage debate and increase understanding.

The adverts will start running in the capital from May 23.

Islamic Relief has helped more than 100 million people across the world since it was established in Birmingham in 1984.

More than £140 million has been sent in aid to Syria - supporting around 6.5 million people.