By Muslims living in countries where Christmas is a big deal can often feel like the third wheel on a date at the cinema.
It’s awkward and we can feel that maybe we should leave you to it but, then again, we really like the film that’s playing, so we probably end up staying anyway.
And it is hard not to love Christmas. It is such an aesthetically pleasing holiday full of lovely traditional songs, stories, sights and smells. There’s nothing like a cozy-looking house lit up with fairy lights to temporarily transport you from the miserable wintery weather and darker days. Not only that, but your work colleagues are a little less grumpy and it’s considered acceptable to stuff your face with treats.
The Muslim reaction to Christmas covers a wide spectrum — ranging from having a Christmas tree and halal turkey dinner to those who wish to completely deny its existence…
The Muslim reaction to Christmas covers a wide spectrum — ranging from having a Christmas tree and halal turkey dinner to those who wish to completely deny its existence and nothing, not even the enjoyment of pulling a Christmas cracker, can sway them otherwise. It can also be a confusing time for converts to Islam trying to figure out their position in relation to different religious holidays.
Regardless of whether Muslims are waiting for Santa to bring presents or not, Christmas has always been a time for family and wishing others well. You will find most Muslim families getting together around Christmas — if not for the holiday itself, but because everyone has time off from work, school and uni!
The stories emerging this year of Muslim Turkish restaurant and Birmingham, U.K. takeaway owners offering free Christmas meals to the homeless, elderly, refugees etc., is incredibly heart warming and echoes the Christmas tradition of giving. At this time of year, you’ll find people collecting for their favourite charities, organising food parcels for the homeless, as well as the obligatory mad dash to buy gifts for loved ones.
When we have such stark reminders of poverty and of the turmoil that conflict brings, it is these selfless acts of giving that shine a little bit of light in the darkness.
With this heightened emphasis on giving, it is no surprise that stories highlighting togetherness, such as the Amazon advert, or the lack of it, such as the Silverline ad campaign, have been so widely shared and discussed.
The individuals who have taken it upon themselves to engage with this Christmas tradition remind us of our humanity and are genuinely acting upon the advice, which permeates all world religions, to “want for others what you want for yourself.”
In a world that seems full of hate and pain, the “Golden Rule” reminds us that compassion is a characteristic shared by all humanity. The current climate seems so determined to divide us — by opinion, by religion, by race. And when we have such stark reminders of poverty and of the turmoil that conflict brings, it is these selfless acts of giving that shine a little bit of light in the darkness.
It is so hard around Christmas time! We are either sinning because we say Merry Christmas or disappointing Christian family for not coming around. We each have to find our balance. 🙂
there is no sin in wishing someone a blessing. keep on doing it.
Which part of your religion forbids you to say ‘Merry Christmas’ to people who celebrate Christmas? Just asking.
What a lovely article. While most US families have long traditions of incorporating diversity from those around the world, it can be hard for people who come from same faith, same ideals groups to integrate into diversity. I appreciate Ms. Issa for writing this and giving hope, peace and encouragement to others. Good article.
Good grief. The FUCKING Muslims complain about every FUCKING thing. The USA is a Christian nation. If you don’t like it, get the FUCK out and go back to whatever Islamic SHIT-HOLE you came from. Oh, and by the way, how about all those Christians in Iraq being killed and persecuted by you FUCKING MUSLIMS. Islam is an INTOLERANT, religion of HATE. HATE for Jews, HATE for Gays, HATE for “INFIDELS”, HATE for women. FUCK YOU AND FUCKING “Religion”
You apparently did not care to read the article. Still, you keep your ‘opinion’ handy and start spewing your venom. Now guess who is full of ‘intolerance’ and ‘hatred’ here?
Smelly, Dirty CUNT – FUCK YOU MUSLIM!!!
Any idea about how ridiculously you present yourself?
I am not a muslim, sorry for that. And I do not like the ideology called ‘islam’. But what I hate much more are ridiculous responses from idiotic foul-mouthed cowards such as you.
Ha-Ha!!! LOL!!!