Seems as though they celebrate it with more josh than some nonMuslim countries. Just a few pics i thought i’d throw out. These are from Abu Dhabi, and the ones responsible for the Christmas festivities are the individuals posted in the last image.
Used to be, twenty years ago, it was only Eid that was celebrated with a great deal of ‘dhoom dhaam’. Maybe it’s because of the influx/flood of Russian and British tourists/workers that the government started to realize they could bring in more tourism revenue if they opened up the festivities to other occasions besides that of Eid.
Personally, i find it odd. That’s just ME - everyone go ahead and disagree please, that is your right. The significance of Ramadan and Eid seems to be one that is fading to be replaced by something else… you have to visit the country during these times to understand what i mean. Growing up here, i remember watching all the mazdoors and chowkidaars (watchmen? security people? what are they called in English?) would gather in a park and each of them would bring with them their own little basket of food…kuch bhi hota tha, khajoors ofcourse and usually some meal with a few snacks. 99% of them were desis, had left their families back home in the sub-continent; akelay rahtay thain and would send remittances back home. They used to get together for Iftar, and of course over Eid, and everyone used to eat together. Just spread a sheet on the grass in the park, sharing what little they had been able to cook by themselves. Simple foods, simple times, simple moments of happiness. But for me, that togetherness symbolized Ramadan. i don’t think it’s there anymore.
Anyways, every time i see these pics, i really wonder how non-Muslim festivities will be celebrated, in Muslim countries, over the next 20-30 years.
when i was a kid, we used to come from taxila to lahore to celebrate eid with the relos. We'd get dressed up and go to the "gol baag" with all the men (i was like 5 so i didnt care) and pray together.. and then we'd get our eid, which was like 5 ruppees..
my bro, my cousin and me would run to the side stall and spend it straight away hehe.. but last time i went to pak, none of that hype existed! my lil cousins didnt even care.. it was just another day, but with a lot more cooking and ironing involved
my cousins live amongst a lot of christians.. but theres not much celebration there. A lot of noise though
most of these arabs countries are not really "muslim countries". with good percentage of population being non- muslim (christians mostly), i think its okay to celebrate christmas this way. its a good way of creating a feeling of "belonging" and inclusiveness among the christian population of that country.
I dont see what is an issue with people celebrating their own religious festivities. Its a good thing that aside from places like KSA other countries do not have issues with ppl of other faith celebrating their festivals
As far as Eid etc goes, #1 its just as fun for kids, you are comparing your eid experience as a kid to your eid experience as an adult.
The impact that has occured is a certain group of defenders of the faith jumping up and down and declaring everything unislamic and taking the fun of of festivities for many.
On the last Christmas Eve (24th Dec. 2003) I was in Liberty (Lahore). I did not even remember, that it was Christmas Eve. Lekin jab mai udhar pauncha, to aise lag raha tha, kay Lahore mai sirf Christians hi rehte hain.
Guys dressed up as Santa Clause were distributing sweets and there were Christmas songs, etc. I was used to all this here in Austria, but in Lahore it really looked odd.
bahrain is as "open-minded" (thats how non-muslims and moderate muslims like to call it) as a country can get....
and u have all sorts of religions here....
christians celebrate the christmas and the new year....
muslims participate in it as well....
specially the new year....
the national day falls on 16 december....
celebrations go on for a week (lighting and decorations)....
which usually stay till after the new year....
if someone dropped in by the 22 of december, he'd think all this is for christmas and new year....
the last two years have seen a violent protest against government for allowing such activities to go on for new year....
there have been even stones thrown at hotels/clubs....
not to forget sexual harassment carried uot by the protestants against the expatriate women they think were here for 'ill practices'....
but overall, no one bothers about christmas....
its new year that has ppl involved in all sorts of things....
christmas is left only for christians and those closely associated with them (who frankly wud not care for anything religious)....