A decision by an Oxford university college not to celebrate St George’s Day with a formal dinner has been branded “barking mad”. Magdalen College has decided against continuing an annual pre-pandemic banquet celebrating the English saint that drew together Oxford students, dons and fellows. Instead, the only occasion the college will observe on the day is Eid al-Fitr, the Islamic festival marking the end of Ramadan.

The college will hold a formal dinner marking Eid on April 23, honouring a request made by its Muslim students.

An email from college vice president Professor Nick Stargardt seen by the Daily Telegraph outlines plans for a “festive dinner” celebrating the occasion.

The invitation, sent to hundreds of students and their lecturers, adds the meal will “follow Muslim customs”.

Cooks will prepare a halal meat dish with no alcohol served to diners.

The meal comes two days after Eid – which is on April 21 this year – and has ignited a bitter internal row amongst Magdalen academics.

One anonymous don told The Telegraph the decision amounts to “cancelling St George’s Day”.

They added that it shows leaders of the UK’s academic institutions “seem to feel” a “deep antipathy” towards “the country that built and maintains them”.

Another said it was “barking mad”, and accused college president Dinah Rose KC of being left-wing.

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The college has disputed claims that the dinner will replace a long-held tradition.

The Telegraph said it had seen records showing that Magdalen hosted dinners dedicated to St George’s Day since 2016.

The records, the publication said, show the day being observed in this fashion until 2019 when the Covid pandemic hit the UK.

A 2018 event reportedly invited lecturers to a “formal hall and high table” with a “special English menu”.

Attendees were also treated to “Grace and English Music by the Clerks” and an oration.

Magdalen College has said there is not an established tradition celebrating St George’s Day.

In a statement, a spokesman said the Eid celebration slots into its year-round commemoration of religious holidays and that the college would still honour the English saint.

They said: “We will be flying both the St George’s and College flags to celebrate St George’s Day and will be hosting the University sermon for St Mark’s Day.”

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