Christian symbol --- Yes Gerhard, this is a difficult point. The problem of the interpretation of the RC symbol is particularly obvious in the Middle East and North Africa, not so much because of its Swiss origin but mainly because of the cross worn by the crusaders during their numerous expeditions to conquer Jerusalem. It is also a question of language. In Indonesia, the most populated Muslim country in the world (277 millions people), the emblem of the National Society is the Red Cross, not the Crescent, simply because in the local language, Bahasa Indonesia, Red Cross translates as Palang Mehra, which means approximately the red meeting point (between the people in need and the people who come to help). Without any religious connotation or historical background, it does not create any problem for the people.

Source author: Jean-Michel Monod jmmonod@yahoo.com