I remember when I was in Pakistan, our maids were christian but they used to equally celebrate Eid with us not really as a religious holiday but more like a cultural holiday. When I moved to USA, I didn’t find any haram in celebrating Thanksgiving, New Year (which are non religious holidays) and even Chrisrtmas. It is fun to light the home, prepare either some traditional american cusine or even desi cusine, sit togather with family friends and have a good time. I always get one of those little angel things from the christmas tree at walmart or my campus library, buy the stuff child has wished for, pack it nicely and give it to whoever is suppose to distribute them. One of my aunt’s little daughter wanted to have a christmas tree last year just because all of her class mates had a tree at home. To me it is not a big issue as the kid is not really celebrating christmas as a religious holiday. All she wanted was to have something common to share when she returns from the winter break.
I know there are lot of people who condemn Muslims celebrating non Muslim holidays so for ourselves and our kids, how can we maintain a balance b/w the outside culture and the home culture?
We used to get the tree when me and my siblings were little but now it's just the Christmas meal. As long as it is not celebrated in terms of religion but just a get together.
I know there are lot of people who condemn Muslims celebrating non Muslim holidays so for ourselves and our kids, how can we maintain a balance b/w the outside culture and the home culture?
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I dont know...personally I find it sad when Muslim kids find Christmas more fun and exciting than Eid.....if this is the case, then its because their parents and family arent making Eid as special and wonderful for them as it should be. They should love their own celebrations and be proud of that, and not always crave what the non-Muslims have. I think distinctions should be made between religiously oriented celebrations (like Christmas, Easter) and non-religious (like Mother's Day, New Year's etc). Im not trying to judge anyone to put anyone down, but I dont really understand why Muslims would want to celebrate what non-Muslims call the birthday of their "son of god". Personally I dont want my family celebrating Christmas in any way......except for taking advantage of holiday sales at the stores :) Anyways, just my two cents.....to each their own...
I dont know...personally I find it sad when Muslim kids find Christmas more fun and exciting than Eid.....if this is the case, then its because their parents and family arent making Eid as special and wonderful for them as it should be. They should love their own celebrations and be proud of that, and not always crave what the non-Muslims have. I think distinctions should be made between religiously oriented celebrations (like Christmas, Easter) and non-religious (like Mother's Day, New Year's etc). Im not trying to judge anyone to put anyone down, but I dont really understand why Muslims would want to celebrate what non-Muslims call the birthday of their "son of god". Personally I dont want my family celebrating Christmas in any way......except for taking advantage of holiday sales at the stores :) Anyways, just my two cents.....to each their own...
i suppose living in a western society one is drawn in by the advertising Xmas gets...no wonder the kids want to celebrate it. Christmas has been made into another commodity.
In Pakistan youl find people getting excited over Eid probably over the same reasons!
Can i ask the obvious question here?..why is that muslims kids who wana celebrate xmas are not so entuastic about say holi or diwali or buddha day?
i suppose living in a western society one is drawn in by the advertising Xmas gets...no wonder the kids want to celebrate it. Christmas has been made into another commodity.
In Pakistan youl find people getting excited over Eid probably over the same reasons!
Can i ask the obvious question here?..why is that muslims kids who wana celebrate xmas are not so entuastic about say holi or diwali or buddha day?
have you seen muslims in india celebrating thanx givings or xmas? however, they do celebrate holi n diwali. i personally know muslims families in india who celebrate both festivals. its all about where you live and how you look at it.
Like every other child, my kids also love the lights, colours and charm of Christmas but they also know that it's for Christians and they will get their gifts on Eidayen.
Our house will be decorated for Eid and I'm preparing for an Eid party for them with a puppet show and lots of lovely food. InshaAllah
We celebrate Thankgiving and New Years with our kids.
I don't celebrate Christmas because I feel it is a religious holiday. (or Hannakah, or Diwali) etc
I am teaching my kids about the holidays and they can participate in Christmas parties at school etc but we don't get them a tree or put up lights or anything.
I think every family has to find their own balance.
we celebrate all the holidays here too. the fun starts will halloween and ends with new years. the only thing that we never really warmed up to was easter cause somewhere deep in my mind the idea of christ dying was negated by our own belief. but the kids used to go egg hunting with their class when they were in school till 1st grade.
i have always decorated my house for the holidays and eids. we dress up for halloween and have a tree for christmas. the kids exchange gifts among themselves and i cook christmas dinner. thanksgiving has become a big deal in our house as my kids think of themselves muslim americans first. ( they have only been to pakistan twice in their lives and dont relate to that culture that much). Mr weasel and I believe that we are foremost muslims first and have always drilled that in our children. i also donate to our local food banks for the holiday meals and the orphanage for the requested gifts. for many years we used to adopt a family for christmas and give gifts and meals as part of boy scout and brownie troop projects. i guess as of different faith then in which we live in we have come to balance between our religions and culture as best as we can. BTW this black friday was useless as far as good sales go.