Muslims “celebrating Christmas”

[lastofallthebugs]

I follow a fair few Muslim footballers from the premier league on social media. Every year they post pictures of their children in front of Christmas trees, wish followers/fans a merry Christmas and seem to be enjoying the holiday for exactly what it is - time with family and friends. They always seem happy and grateful for the break.

And every year, without fail, they are attacked by a seemingly strange subset of people who think they shouldn’t be doing this at all and shouldn’t join in. The same seems to extend to other Muslim people I see online - they get hatred for having a big family dinner at Christmas time.

AIBU to think you can’t have it both ways? You can’t say you want people to integrate, but get angry when they do!

Is it only Christianity you have a problem with, or do you hold other religions to the same standards?

I think it’s fair to say that people often engage selectively with Christianity — but that’s true of human nature generally, not something the faith endorses. Christianity doesn’t teach that people should pick the bits they like and ignore the rest; it teaches that all of us fall short, and that the answer isn’t pretending we’re perfect, but repentance, grace, and ongoing change (Romans 3:23).

Christians don’t claim moral superiority — quite the opposite. The gospel starts from the idea that none of us live up to what we should, whether in relationships, honesty, or faithfulness, and that’s precisely why grace matters so much. Celebrating hope, forgiveness, and light at Christmas isn’t hypocrisy; it’s acknowledging a need for them.

It’s incredibly good for you, promotes autophagy, stable blood sugar, ketosis, mental clarity, muscle growth & repair, and immune system regeneration. It can of course be difficult to start with, while you get used to it, so to have it recognised as an observance by your employer is quite helpful. Good point about Lent made, although my understanding is that’s more about giving up something rather than proper fasting.

Yes maybe originally as we all know Christian festivals were tacked onto Pagan festivals but that's not the case now and the actual 40 days of fasting has a spiritual representation ( most Christians dont actually fast but the spiritual representation of giving something up and representing something is there for those who do it. The point is, I would find it very strange if someone decided to fast during Ramadam if they were a non Muslim because Ramadan fasting is purely religious. Surely if you are not religious you are just fasting. Why would you need to tell your Muslim friends? Your basically doing intermittent fasting.

It's coming from dour fun sponges and haters of all persuasions. They don't like people sharing joy.

Isn't it other Muslims who are the ones angry with them though? Not white racists?
I've only seen outrage about this coming from other Muslims saying they shouldn't do it.

Yes that's what I mean that you are doing Intermittent fasting for health reasons. Its nothing to do with Ramadan. Muslims arent fasting to improve their blood sugar levels. Its a religious observance. Im not a Muslim so maybe they are fine with it . But for a non Muslim to say ' Oh Im fasting for Ramadan' so they can get some concessions from their employer because they are on a challenging diet? I dont know. Id find that a bit of a pisstake.

If you hang out on fundamentalist sites, you'll see warped views on great stuff.

Meanwhile, in the real world, people of all religions and none enjoy Christmas. That's class.

Because the idea of setting myself a challenge around fasting appeals to me. Same way I like doing Christmas and I’m not a Christian. Christmas has a secular element because non religious people gave it one. I also know non-Christians who fast for Lent.

But not one muslim has taken issue with me discussing that is my point (most have made suggestions on how I can do it successfully).

You’re probably right, in that I am seeing things from the point of a minority in the country.

Christmas for me, my wider family and a vast majority of our friends, even sole
work colleagues, is very much Christ-centred. It’s filled with many activities about the birth of Christ, including my children’s schools who hold their own Christian carol service but then again, those are part of the reasons why we chose to send them there.

I think when you’re surrounded as I am, by choice, I might add, it’s hard to see it as not a religious festival. I think being spiritual is part of it.

I think it’s lovely they celebrate Christmas if they want to,
Live and let live.

Your family celebrations sound a lot of fun.

I have friends who are Hindu they celebrate Christmas and Easter, enjoy all the festivals, why not? And the children don't feel like they are missing out and can celebrate with their Christian friends.

If you want to do it go for it. I’ve participated in Ramadan 4 times and found it very beneficial and a positive experience- it’s about so much more than not eating or drinking during daylight hours. It’s very much about charitable acts, self reflection, self discipline with your behaviour towards others, spending time with family and friends and if you’re so inclined, a good opportunity to learn about Islam. If you’re not Muslim or religious the praying side may not be for you and I think that’s okay personally. I think the person describing it as just intermittent fasting if you don’t practice the religious side has shown a complete misunderstanding of Ramadan.

PS. In Christianity, Advent was a fasting period, charity etc. ending in a feast That’s where the feasting part of Christmas comes from

I think one real strength of Christmas is that everyone is welcome, regardless of religious beliefs or none. I don't think any other 'religious' festival welcomes everyone like this (?) This is down to Santa rather than Jesus though, it's become a secular festival as much as a religious one. I love Christmas including carol services, nativity plays etc despite being not the slightest bit religious and a Muslim friend and I go to at least one carol service together every year.

But why is such a big deal made of Muslims and Christmas. I’ve married into a Sikh family. Everyone celebrates Christmas - presents, meal, decorations etc. I don’t get why it has to be a big thing. My Sikh family just focus on being grateful and family. Many non Christians celebrate Christmas without making into a thing.

Whose attacking them ? Why would anyone care ? Surely posts must be coming from fellow Muslims because surely they would be the only ones who care ? Because it's haram ?

I know one person who is Muslim drinks and celebrates Xmas.
Others I have spoken to can get quite sensitive about it and no defiantly not.

Christmas in UK is an evolution and mix of so many things isn't it !
If you are new to the UK or second generation then it's harder to understand the depths.

@Kendodd it hasn't become a secular festival it started out as one for the simple reason it's very dark in winter ! It's natural that in the darkest months humans did something which was then hijakacked by Christianity . Many other religions will find their celebrations actually originated for different reasons .

There are different elements to Christmas, there is a pagan (non religious) midwinter festival and the Christian celebration of Christmas.
The name is obviously from the Christian part but its doubtful if Jesus was actually born on 25th Dec its just a date arbitrarily attached to mark the season and make bank holiday planning easier.
Christmas trees, decorations, santa, feasts, gifts are all cultural and secular things that have nothing to do with the Christian element.
Anyone can pick and choose which - if any - part they wish to partake in.

@Fizbosshoes quite and of course without having to follow anything you can just have some fun for the sake of it

@Evergreen21 the decs are for whatever you want ,you don't have to celebrate another prophet you can simply cheer the house up in winter.

@PomandersandRedRibbon I could but I'd rather not.

@Evergreen21 of course but because we live ina dark hemisphere it's why do it !
Ro literally brighten up dark days

It’s a fun mid winter festival for lots of people and I love it as someone who’s not Christian and from a non Christian background as well. I’ve lived in a middle eastern country where I’ve taken my DC to do gingerbread house/cookie decorating with kids who’s mums wear a hijab, I know muslim people who chuck up a xmas tree and get the lights out because it’s joyful.

There are just some utterly miserable gits out there. Mainly I’ve seen muslims moaning about it at other muslims but yeah I wouldn’t be surprised if a bunch of racists also object to it. The world can be a dark place, some fairy lights, gifts and eating too much chocolate is good for the soul imo.

I agree with you. Someone's religious beliefs, and if they celebrate Christmas, is their business only. It's no one else's business what a family a person does or how and if they celebrate. Busybodies need to mind their own business.