A Christian-Muslim Christmas

My Christian mother and Muslim father came to Britain from Ghana. When I was a child we prayed a lot. During the day we said prayers with Dad and in the evening when he went out to work we’d pray and read the Bible with Mum.

 

I’m a Christian now because my mother’s influence was stronger. I enjoy working for the Christian Muslim Forum because it’s important that Christians and Muslims get along.  My mother was very soft hearted. She

always said “you must never let the sun go down on your anger.”

 

When we were children we would celebrate Christmas. We put up a Christmas tree, had presents and had the family over on Christmas day. We played Christian music in the house. Dad didn’t have much of an issue with it. I’m guessing Dad didn’t want to deprive us of Christmas. All our friends at school had Christmas. Even at primary school there’d be trees in the classroom and we’d give gifts. He wanted us to have the same feelings as other kids and not feel somehow different.

 

I don’t really think Muslims have any gripes with Christmas. I know many Muslims who, even though they don’t accept Jesus as the son of God, give Christmas presents. I think Christmas has become generic and there is less focus on Jesus. Even agnostics and atheists give presents.

 

I think to some extent Christmas has lost its meaning. Many Muslims celebrate it to keep in tune with society. I know there are some Muslims who won’t pay it too much attention, or who will give gifts but ignore any reference to Christmas.

 

Hussain Bapulah

Webmaster

Christian Muslim Forum