Wow.

This year the “alternate” Christmas speech on British Channel 4 will be delivered by … a Muslim woman wearing a full face mask. (Hat tip: LGF readers.)

A veiled Muslim woman will deliver this year’s alternative Christmas speech on Channel 4, the broadcaster has said.

Khadija, a Zimbabwean-born British citizen who has been wearing the full veil - or niqab - for 10 years, has been given the slot.

The message will reflect a year in which the wearing of religious clothing and symbols have “dominated the news agenda”, said a Channel 4 spokesman.

A counterpoint to the Queen’s Christmas speech first appeared on C4 in 1993.

The spokesman added that the specific contents of the message would be released closer to Christmas Day.