London's Muslim mayor looks panicked singing Christmas carol praising Jesus as King at tree lighting ceremony

Footage from the event shows Khan briefly wiping his hand on his coat, glancing around the venue, and mouthing the words with hesitation.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan appeared visibly uneasy during a Christmas carol performance over the weekend, as he joined attendees in singing "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing," specifically the line "glory to the newborn King," which affirms the divinity and kingship of Jesus Christ. Footage from the event shows Khan briefly wiping his hand on his coat, glancing around the venue, and mouthing the words with hesitation as the choir and crowd continued the hymn.

Khan, a practicing Muslim, would theologically reject the Christian belief that Christ is King or divine which may explain the moment of apparent discomfort. Islam teaches that Jesus is a prophet, not a divine ruler, and observant Muslims typically avoid reciting lines that explicitly proclaim Christian doctrine. Still, the mayor often attends Christian events as part of his job as mayor and has in the past praised the city's Christians.

In past comments to Premier Christian News, Khan highlighted his respect for the Christian community, calling himself "humbled" by charitable work. "London is a very special place at Christmas and it's a great time of year to visit the capital and get into the festive spirit. For me, the celebrations begin with the lighting of the traditional Norwegian Christmas Tree in Trafalgar Square followed by the switch-on of the lights that illuminate our world-famous shopping streets. It's a fantastic spectacle and a reminder that Christmas is the fulfilment of the promise to bring light to the world. From early December until Christmas Eve, Trafalgar Square hosts traditional carol singing. Different choirs perform every day, raising money for charities and filling the Square with joy, song and festive cheer," he said in a previous interview.

Khan has also talked about the cultural value of Christmas celebrations in the capital, saying he appreciates "a