Christmas and Islam

[chris_uk_83]

Being a Christian myself, I'm not overly familiar with Islam and it's teachings. I am aware that Muslims don't celebrate Christmas, but they do have Eid Al Adah a few days later. I doubt any Muslim would want to be wished a "Merry Christmas", but is there a similar greeting for Eid?

The reason I ask is that I've recently started teaching in a school with a large Muslim population and I'd like to wish the kids the equivalent of "merry Christmas" when the holidays begin, but I don't know how. So if any Muslims could enlighten me I'd be quite appreciative.

[The Prophet]

Eid Mubarak ~ Merry Christmas

Muslims follow a lunar calendar so their dates are cosntantly shifting every year.

[AngryTitusPullo]

Eid Mubarak ~ Merry Christmas

Muslims follow a lunar calendar so their dates are cosntantly shifting every year.

Actually is Christmas is celebration on the birth of Christ then the muslim equivalent is the (in my language, I do not know the English equivalent) the Maulud Nabi.

I'm not sure even if it's celebrated all over the muslim world but at least here it's a public holiday.

However, 2 major celebrations in Islam are Ied Al-Adha (this coming 20th) which marks the end of the Hajj and the Ied Al-Fitri, marking the end of Ramadan.

Being a Christian myself, I'm not overly familiar with Islam and it's teachings. I am aware that Muslims don't celebrate Christmas.

We don't celebrate Christmas in religious terms, but still it's an international holiday..

[jankren]

We don't celebrate Christmas in religious terms, but still it's an international holiday..

Actually I dont understand why Christmas is a holiday in my country of 10% Christians. But I have no complain when it comes to holidays . The more the better you know. I hope they will give the Chinese New Year holiday, too.

[AngryTitusPullo]

Actually I dont understand why Christmas is a holiday in my country of 10% Christians. But I have no complain when it comes to holidays . The more the better you know. I hope they will give the Chinese New Year holiday, too.

In KL if you go to shopping complexes (not to say night clubs) you can see those sexy Santas... Not that I have any complaints...

[Каие]

Actually I dont understand why Christmas is a holiday in my country of 10% Christians. But I have no complain when it comes to holidays . The more the better you know. I hope they will give the Chinese New Year holiday, too.

Wheres your country?
Just curious...

[Dracula]

Wheres your country?
Just curious...

He is Bosnian .

[jankren]

Well man, I think you could just ask one of your students to be sure. Anyway, 'Happy Ied Al-Adha' should do.

[Erwin Rommel]

chinese new year is way better than western new year, why???
more fireworks
lion dance
MONEY!!!!


an oh yeah try this one...go to saudi.....and scream at the top of your LUNGS
"MERRY CHRISTMAS!!"

[jankren]

an oh yeah try this one...go to saudi.....and scream at the top of your LUNGS
"MERRY CHRISTMAS!!"

Nah, I still enjoy having my head attached to my body if you know what I mean ...

chinese new year is way better than western new year, why???
more fireworks
lion dance
MONEY!!!!

Lol, you are probably Chinese if you know about this 'angpao' thing. Ha ha ha ...

[Sher Khan]

an oh yeah try this one...go to saudi.....and scream at the top of your LUNGS
"MERRY CHRISTMAS!!"

I've actually done this already.

[Sadreddine]

I've actually done this already.

And curiously enough, you're here to tell the tale

[jankren]

And curiously enough, you're here to tell the tale

Because he did that when he was by himself inside his Riyadh Hotel Room. LOL

[Kanaric]

Actually I dont understand why Christmas is a holiday in my country of 10% Christians.

It has become a hallmark holiday.

Japan has even less Christians yet they still observe it and its a huge event.

In the US even pretty much the whole concept of it being a religious holiday takes a back seat to "Santa Clause", toys, gifts, and the whole modern mythology of the date.

[Erwin Rommel]

me love angpao so much!!! in philippines
you get that twice or even thrice a year x-mas, chinese new year and your b-day

[So Much Fire]

There's also a cultural element to it since in Lebanon it's not uncommon in see a Christmas tree in a Muslim home (which has also carried over to the diaspora as well), plus going to midnight mass. Interfaith relations are common for us, and as a Muslim, I'm not offended at all when someone wishes me a Merry Christmas, it's all in good spirit so it's cool (and for the record, I observe and celebrate Christmas since I have Christians in my family). I go to mass, have them over for dinner, cook for them, dress up a tree, and add a Christmas feel to my house.

[jankren]

There's also a cultural element to it since in Lebanon it's not uncommon in see a Christmas tree in a Muslim home (which has also carried over to the diaspora as well), plus going to midnight mass. Interfaith relations are common for us, and as a Muslim, I'm not offended at all when someone wishes me a Merry Christmas, it's all in good spirit so it's cool (and for the record, I observe and celebrate Christmas since I have Christians in my family). I go to mass, have them over for dinner, cook for them, dress up a tree, and add a Christmas feel to my house.

Lebanon is an exception because over there the Christian and Muslim populations are almost evenly divided.

[So Much Fire]

Lebanon is an exception because over there the Christian and Muslim populations are almost evenly divided.

That's why I pointed out how what's normal for a Lebanese Muslim is different from most others (I know a few Palestinians and Syrians who do the same, might be rare for them though)

[chris_uk_83]

Cheers guys, that's been really useful.

[Icefrisco]

an oh yeah try this one...go to saudi.....and scream at the top of your LUNGS
"MERRY CHRISTMAS!!"

Would I have a choice between that or the chair?