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!

I love the rest of a holiday! I’m lucky enough to work in a multicultural environment where we all share the joy of each other’s religious and cultural celebrations. Long may that last.

People have too much time and energy to get involved in what has nothing to do with them whatsoever.

I wish I had too much time and energy! Depleting with age but truly warmed by most responses on this thread.

My workplace did ‘winter celebration’, effectively ‘cancelling’ Christmas.

Even if my workplace had named it that, it wouldn’t have amounted to cancelling Christmas. Everyone wants to know about each other’s religions and beliefs as we are all curious.

Christmas is a winter celebration so sounds ok to me.

My Muslim neighbour and I exchange cards/small gifts at Christmas/Eid. She has a small Christmas decoration at her window…I have Muslims in my extended family, they’ve sent photos of themselves sitting round the table enjoying, what looks like, a delicious Christmas lunch! Holding up their glasses of juice in a toast to us, while wearing paper hats!

Yes, my colleagues and I are largely actively interested in each other’s cultures and religions, no problem, but senior management seem to have a problem with Christmas, while promoting other religions festivals. I have a problem with that.

As this thread clearly demonstrates, christmas doesn't need to be "promoted", people from other cultures and religions have happily adopted it into their own family lives.

You do realise the origins of all these religious observances are because they are good for you, and kept the people safe and healthy. It was dangerous to eat pork and shellfish in hot countries without proper refrigeration. Taking a break from food excess during Lent or Ramadan is also good for you. That why only eating chocolate and drinking alcohol for a month isn’t a thing Pretending its because the bearded bloke in the sky told you too is a bit infantile.

Also let’s refer back what the post is actually about - is it ok to observe a religious event if you dont follow that religion (remember it’s about Christmas?). So to say yes take the holidays, put up the tree and give the gifts at Christmas but no sorry not allowed for Ramadan, is hypocritical.

Well have to agree to disagree on this then. My view is that Christmas has a secular element and a religious element so if people want to do the secular element then it's nobody's concern. The religious element of Christmas is more or less a minority interest in this country anyway. Someone else said they did Ramadam but also acknowledged that its about giving to charity, thinking about God etc, as is Lent, which is at least respectful to the purpose of that observance whch is predominantly religious ( unlike Christmas). To say you are fasting during Ramadan to get concessions at work, especially when you disrespect religious beliefs (bearded bloke in the sky) is not the same thing as having a roast dinner and crackers on christmas day! You can fast at any time of the year for health reasons. It doesnt mean you are doing a Ramadan fast. Its nothing to do with Ramadan which is a communal religious observance with no secular element and a requirement of the religion.

Just because you have decided Christmas is secular doesn’t actually make that true. There is a clue in the name… Christs Mass. Personally I think it’s all nonsense and therefore celebrating Christmas is no different to me to observing Ramadan, for whatever reasons I may choose. And frankly these so called work ‘concessions’ you are referring to are what exactly? Acknowledgement I’m fasting? Not quite a public holiday is it.

If we are not religious but we celebrate Christmas, what are we celebrating? In fact, we are celebrating the birth of Jesus by celebrating Christmas, are we not?? Even if we're not religious, we are doing a religious thing there!

We are atheists - we don’t celebrate the birth of Jesus but celebrate time off work, being with family, good food and drinks, presents, parties, special events.

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.
@FateAmenableToChange You are the one who said you say you were observing Ramadan so you could get it recognised as an observance by your employer! Religious observances and allowances are legally protected characteristics not so you can slack off at work while you get used to a dieting regime.

No, if that were the case christmas wouldn’t be in december.

A couple of misconceptions eluded to in the above re Islam and Ramadan.

1. Muslims do not believe God is “bearded man in the sky” and do not describe God as having a human likeness
2. Ramadan or the Muslim faith doesn’t have to be communally practiced. Believers can observe as they wish, either with a community, a family unit or completely alone it’s up to the believer how they do it and there’s no pressure to attend a mosque etc.
3. There are elements of Ramadan outside of the dietary and religious side which are about good behaviour and charity. Not just giving money to charity but carrying out kind and charitable acts and paying particular attention to behaviour e.g. not getting angry or gossiping about others.
4. No Muslim I know would ever exclude Ramadan from a non Muslim who wanted to participate without the religious side.

Overall, I’ve always felt religion or no religion is a very personal thing and for my own part I keep my own beliefs to myself, however I do like to gain as much correct knowledge about different faiths as I can.

If you observe the non religious side of Ramadan including the charitable and kind acts (perhaps something with a bit more effort than just giving money), observing good behaviour towards others as well as the dietary side, I can’t see how anyone could possibly have an issue with it. You can also set yourself some kind of self improvement goal over the month (not about food), as well as fasting However, don’t forget there is a feasting element too, Iftar every evening when you break your fast and I’d recommend getting up early for Suhoor too otherwise you may struggle. Perhaps you will post your Iftar meals on social media and come back here and tell us what reaction you got…

I know a number of young non religious people from Muslim families and backgrounds who still fast and participate (physically and behaviour wise) in Ramadan without taking part in any of the religious side. Some of them don’t even live in the same country as the rest of their family.

I’m not sure what the motivation is for anyone criticising you on this is. The sermon like posts they’re writing telling you you’re wrong when they clearly have very little knowledge. If you want guidance your Muslim friends will advise you properly. There’s also a group of people and people with health conditions who shouldn’t be fasting at Ramadan, check that out too before hand.

A Fatwa!! I think your prejudice and ignorance is very clear

There's no fatwa prohibiting non-Muslims from trying to fast during Ramadan, and many scholars and communities view it as a positive gesture of goodwill, respect, and cultural understanding, allowing for health benefits and bridging gaps. While the fast isn't a mandatory religious duty for non-Muslims, participating can deepen appreciation for Muslim culture, though it's important to prioritise safety and acknowledge that it's a spiritual act for Muslims, not a prerequisite for non-believers to earn religious reward.

I am a non practising Muslim who's married to a Catholic.

I grew up in a Muslim house, and we always had a tree, carols, and decorations. We also did community events with the mosque and church.

My kids actually celebrate all religions and religious festivals at school. We do all the Christian and Muslim festivals. My children are involved in community events. We view them not as religious but as supporting our wider community. I made harvest festival baskets for the church as an act of charity nor religion.

When the kids ask me what I believe I tell them some people believe this and some people don't and then I ask what she believes. I don't want to impose on them. I don't care what religion they choose or if they don't choose one at all. I care that they are happy and kind, productive, involved members of their communities.

Haven't RTFT but it's a shame the quotes around "celebrating christmas" reverses the thrust of your OP.

At least to someone with my sense of reading....

Not Muslim or Christian but I hated Christmas because of this when I was younger. It's everywhere, and there are people who give you a hard time if you don't participate and then those that give you a hard time if you do. It made me miserable and I've had to make an effort to find a way to enjoy it as an adult. It also left me feeling more isolated from society in the winter.