Christmas with religiously and ethnically diverse with community

[mids2019]

So I work in a trust where possibly 20% of staff are Muslim and there are plenty of other religions represented too with some Christians .

This year with the traditional Christmas parties and general Christmas build up there have been conversations about our holiday period being centred around one religion to the detriment of others. There are no bank holidays associated with Eid or Diwali and people for instance.

I think in general people do get in the general communal Christmas spirit but for instance the traditional meal and drinks which is meant to be a celebratory time for staff has maybe maybe feel staff feel excluded with many junior staff members of non Christian faith feeling uncomfortable with going so simply didnt. There were a subgroup of staff that organise a large meal with the alcohol flowing but it really is becoming obvious that there needs to be a more inclusive event of the Christmas do is partly to show gratitude to hard working staff.

Do we need to reflect at Christmas not everyone celebrates it and with the continued Christ in the name it is still a relgous festival and as such people with strong faith in other religions may be a little reluctant to embrace the festoval?

I am atheist so whatever religion is absolutely not relevant. Ireland isn't the same our constitution and laws are stronger in the move to balanced recognition.

You seem to not understand that inclusive and trample are polar opposites
!

A workplace should in my opinion be inclusive it's literally a legal requirement that includes the fun stuff too.

I said inclusive that means religion or indeed support for a religious requirement should be facilitated.

Planning a social event should ensure it is accessible by all that's basic manners.

I clearly answered your question you appear to not get the answer your want

Tbf my muslim DH says something similar....

It's not being inclusive to give up your traditions and customs. It wimpy

I think (as a brown person) that you are over thinking this. Christmas parties are not everyone’s cup of tea regardless of race or religion. For example an introvert may find them exhausting, sit them out and will happily ask how it went. It’s the same for a non-drinking Muslim.

If people of different backgrounds in the workplace all naturally get on day to day and feel included anyway, an annual Xmas party they quietly choose not to attend because of a religious reason is not going to change their relationships. In fact, you will likely embarrass them if you make an issue of it - “we will give up our Xmas alcohol so the Muslim staff can attend” would be quite mortifying.

If you were a non faith school yes! My children are in Educate together in Ireland we manage it very well. It s possible to be inclusive. You chose to reflect on the values and cultures without it being over taken by one!

So you're saying it's wrong to celebrate a Christian festival in church?

It was a very inclusive service but it was a Christian service nonetheless. And that's okay.

I travel to lots of different countries as part of my job and sometimes find myself in a country when they are celebrating a religious or cultural festival. I'm always invited to celebrate with colleagues and it's my choice whether I do or not.
How is that any different to the UK celebrating a Christian festival in a church?

The irony of this!

Inclusive isn't about giving up it's about making a bigger event to include them.
The fact there is a lack of understanding what inclusive means is shocking

Did you read the comments?

All the people I know who are not Christian - and that's most, as they are either non-religious or of another faith - are very happy to celebrate the spirit of Christmas as it is represented in 2024 - a midwinter jolly, an ancient story that has some deeper meaning without literal belief, a chance for people to get together and share fun.

It has been the central UK annual celebration for hundreds of years and predates Christianity - and there is no reason to change that.

Those who belong to a different religion are always welcomed to join in the general bonhomie; just as they are free to enjoy their festivals - and to welcome everyone else in, as they do. Community diwali celebrations are very common now and everyone rolls up. Equally they are free not to join in.

We all share a common humanity and are equally capable of sharing a happy celebration together, whatever our religions, or none.

there have been conversations about our holiday period being centred around one religion to the detriment of others. - I take issue with the word "detriment" - no religion is being prevented from celebrating their festivals - one festival does not negate another.

What you're saying doesn't make sense.

You facilitate all religions but refuse to say Happy Christmas. You erase the religiosity for Christians. Do you erase the religiosity for other faiths?

Do you refuse to celebrate other religious festivals?

Wow, between UK & Afghanistan we are the bigots?!

I said there was nothing wrong with happy holidays and Christmas is on that holiday! Why would I celebrate religious festivals? I celebrate the very commercial non secular Xmas as did my great grandparents.

Your manufactured outrage outrage feels pretty manufactured, to be honest.

The OP isn't (presumably) invented. She hasn't mentioned banning Christmas though, and nor has anyone else I've seen so far on the thread.

And really, you hear Diana complaints, conkers complaints, too many bank holiday complaints every year? Who do you spend your time with?

So at Christmas would you wish someone a Happy Christmas or not?

No I say happy holidays I am not Christian.🤦‍♀️As do everyone around me.

So you don't celebrate Christmas at all? So you wouldn't wish a Happy Christmas to someone who did celebrate it?

Christmas is a holiday, so happy holidays makes sense to me. Honestly don’t understand the offence at all

No our tradition my peers family etc don't it's not unique.
I have already said I celebrate the commercial Xmas.

I wouldn't be offended if someone said Happy Holidays to me, not that anyone has ever said that, everyone I know says Happy Christmas. To me have a happy holiday is said to someone who is actually going away in holiday.

I have mentioned on a number of threads that I worked for an organisation which had its roots in the Islamic faith. I'd say about two thirds of the staff were Muslim but in the main head office it was probably more half and half and in addition we had a few Jewish people.

We had a Christmas meal every year. That Christmas Do had alcohol on arrival and alcohol available at a bar throughout. Everyone came. To be fair, it wasn't a boozy do - a lot of people were driving anyway. In the run up to Christmas, our Muslim colleaues (who were always very generous) brought in chocolates and cakes for everyone to share.

We also got days off at Eid. Non-Muslim staff would reciprocate by bringing in treats and the kitchen area was generally stuffed with nice stuff for a week afterwards.

A colleague of mine was Jewish and we'd also use Jewish celebrations as an excuse for treats. It's amazing we weren't all the size of a house.

So, in conclusion, I think everyone gets far to het up about other faiths at Christmas. In my experience people of faith tend to have a lot of respect for people of faith, whatever that faith is. An open conversation is what is required. If I ever thought I might be about to do something that might be unwelcome or difficult for a Muslim colleague I just went and asked - does this sound OK?

Nothing difficult about it…it is Christmas and that’s why we have the bank holidays. No we don’t have bank holidays for Eid or other non-Christian faiths because this is the UK. In the UAE they prioritise Eid. In Israel I’m sure Hanukkah is more celebrated than Christmas.

Why does everyone seem to think every single event needs to be fully relevant to them or else they are “being excluded”? Just enjoy the day off and eat some quality street ffs.

Your Dad was brilliant.

My organisation makes a fuss about all the religions eg Diwali, Eid and the others I can't think of.

Those practicing are allowed to use bank holiday days for those, get leeway for Ramadan fasts and prayers etc so technically everyone is treated the same.

Christmas is the one that the majority celebrate however so unsurprisingly the fuss for Christmas is largest and people can't really expect anything less.

I misunderstood you. I thought you were talking about Christmas parties and work colleagues. You are talking about friends and family.

You obviously do think it's important to recognise all faiths including Christian festivals. However because you're atheist you don't include the religion verbally. You just celebrate 'holidays'.

So at Eid, you'd say Happy Holidays! Same with any other religious festival. I'm an atheist but tend to respect people's cultures and faiths. I'd say Happy Christmas, Happy New Year or Happy Diwali, depending on that person.

I'd also have no problem attending a party to celebrate that festival and calling it by its name. If, like you, my very strong beliefs didn't allow me to recognise religious festivals, I would simply refuse the invitation.

But that excludes people who are not on holiday. 🫣

Would you say happy holidays to a Muslim celebrating Eid?