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Original poster

Should I send a Christmas card to my Muslim neighbour?

135 replies

SpidaMama · 08/12/2022 16:28

I have cards for the 8 houses on my little block. She is my next door neighbour, she is a strict Muslim. I only have grinch cards, I'm not religious 😂

I'm not sure if I should or what to write?

OP posts:
Zampa · 08/12/2022 16:38

I think Happy Holidays is a decent turn of phrase or Season's Greetings, if you want to be more traditional.

Choconut · 08/12/2022 16:39

Sistanotcista · 08/12/2022 16:32

No. Better to give her a gift at Eid next year.

But if the neighbour has never given the OP an Eid gift wouldn't it be a bit odd of the OP to do it first? Who knows, maybe the OP will give a card and the neighbour will feel that the OP may appreciate an Eid gift and it could start a whole lovely thing going.

LadybirdsAreFab · 08/12/2022 16:39

I live in the Middle East, the decorations & festivities for Christmas are amazing. The majority of our Muslim friends/neighbours acknowledge it. It is a lovely gesture.

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Events & celebrations
Mydogatemypurse · 08/12/2022 16:40

Send it, wishing you and your family love during this season and a happy new year x

Tomatopasta · 08/12/2022 16:40

Of course you can send it. If she’s as lovely as she sounds I’m sure she will appreciate it. Don’t overthink it. Just because she doesn’t celebrate Christmas I’m sure she will appreciate the sentiment. All the best sounds like a great message to put in the card.

Circumferences · 08/12/2022 16:40

I think Happy Holidays is a decent turn of phrase

I don't think so. It's woke culture erasing clap trap.

listsandbudgets · 08/12/2022 16:42

Yes of course. Don't leave her out.

We live in an area with lots of Muslims - in fact, we live opposite a Mosque. They usually send us a Christmas card and invite local residents regardless of religion in for "Festive" snacks in the run up to Christmas (their samosas are the best!). The same happens around Eid although then they tend to knock on the door and bring us food

Our neighbours are Muslim and always give us a card and presents and vice versa. We also exchange gifts at Eid.

DS and DD always exchange Christmas cards with Muslim friends at school and usually come home with school gifts at Eid as well as Diwali.

qpmz · 08/12/2022 16:42

Christmas is hardly associated with Christianity anymore. It's definitely not limited to church going Christians. Send a card and spread some joy!

Baconand · 08/12/2022 16:44

I work in a a very diverse area, the muslim (and other religions) staff are all happy to take part in Christmas to some extent and receive cards etc. I had a Sikh, 2 Hindus and a Muslim at our team Xmas lunch this week.

I would write something like “Happy Holidays” rather than Happy Christmas or similar.

I’d be a bit concerned that a grinch card might not strike a good tone though! They may think it is directed at them??! I’d send a more generic, non religious card.

PeekAtYou · 08/12/2022 16:44

I would send her seasons greetings and wish her a great 2023.

Allthegoodnamesarechosen · 08/12/2022 16:45

Christ said ‘love your neighbour’. So that’s His advice

TheLeadbetterLife · 08/12/2022 16:46

Circumferences · 08/12/2022 16:40

I think Happy Holidays is a decent turn of phrase

I don't think so. It's woke culture erasing clap trap.

Oh, get a grip.

Don't overthink it OP, your neighbour will be getting a holiday at Christmas like everyone else, so it's perfectly fine to wish them season's greetings and all the best for next year.

The great thing about living in a multi-cultural society is getting to learn about and enjoy each other's festivals, surely? I celebrate Eid with my Muslim friends, and this Christmas I have a houseful of people from Christian, Muslim and Jewish backgrounds. None of us are religious, but we're all foodies, so we're going to enjoy the festival like Romans at Saturnalia and stuff our faces.

Claudia84 · 08/12/2022 16:46

We used to get Eid gifts from our neighbour and I would always pop around a card at Christmas. I think it's nice.

GreenwichVillage83 · 08/12/2022 16:48

I send them to Muslims I know. They still get the bank holidays off and generally have time off work so I usually put Have a great holiday.

Annabananna1 · 08/12/2022 16:49

Yeah I think it's fine. And since you're sending to the others.

MissHavishamsMouldyOldCake · 08/12/2022 16:49

I would.

A non-religious card with something like 'wishing you a happy festive season and peaceful new year'

Mariposista · 08/12/2022 16:49

I have been a Christian all my life and once had a Muslim work friend who invited me to a special dinner at her house during Ramadan. It was so beautiful purely for the cultural experience. I asked loads of questions about her faith and family traditions, and got to meet her wider family, and it was just lovely and respectful at all times. When Christmas came round, I invited her to the dinner I made at mine for my work friends. Again it was so respectful, I avoided any pork (as she had avoided any Halal things for me) and she experienced it from a cultural perspective.
So in short yes I would send her a card if you are friends. People from different religions can live very harmoniously alongside each other provided they are not radical.

Ivyblu · 08/12/2022 16:51

It depends some people can be funny. If she's an open person... she will accept.

My aunt doesn't celebrate Xmas and I said I had a card for her one year. She said she doesn't celebrate her choice but I thought it was very rude.

Me personally I would accept something even if I didn't celebrate because someone has THOUGHT of ME!

Spidey66 · 08/12/2022 16:52

I work with a lot of Muslims, who are happy to receive cards, join in Secret Santa and even go on staff Christmas party. The only thing they may not join in on is having a drink, or they may prefer a restaurant where the food is Halal (we're in an area where there are a lot of Turkish restaurants and if it's there the food is Halal by default.) If it's not Halal and they're very strict they may still go and have the veggie option. I'd still send them cards in your situation. They're living in the UK, they do know about Christmas!

Azandme · 08/12/2022 16:55

DenholmElliot11 · 08/12/2022 16:35

No she doesn't celebrate xmas.

And you know this how?

My partner and his entire family are Muslim, Bohri to be precise - and pretty strict (DP is the exception in the family). They had a Christmas tree and gifts every year when he and his sister were young.

I send cards wishing joy for the holiday season and new year to them and Muslim friends. Always well received.

You can even buy specific cards.

Byelaws · 08/12/2022 16:56

Yes. It’s just cheery.

Timezones · 08/12/2022 16:58

In Islam, Jesus is one of the most important prophets. He's just not believed to be the son of God.

Azandme · 08/12/2022 17:00

Circumferences · 08/12/2022 16:40

I think Happy Holidays is a decent turn of phrase

I don't think so. It's woke culture erasing clap trap.

Don't be ridiculous.

  1. It IS a holiday, a bank holiday, in fact it's a series of them, for everyone not just Christians, so "holidays" is accurate.
  1. Most people want other people to be happy.
  1. Most people want to be 2 during 1, so "happy holidays" is a perfectly acceptable way to say that.

Fuck all "woke" about it. Go bang your drum (ru pu pum pum) elsewhere.

Justcallmebebes · 08/12/2022 17:00

Yes, why not. First card I've received this year is from a Muslim friend. We all worship the same God

Yika · 08/12/2022 17:03

Yes I would! It’s a holiday, let’s share it!