As the UK gears up for a Christmas filled with uncertainty, there’s a neighborhood of us for whom this festive interval tends to cross uneventfully. For a lot of Muslims, Christmas is rather like any regular day within the calendar yr, however acts as extra of a marker for a interval of relaxation and winding down as the remainder of the nation involves a halt.
I, like many different Muslims, spend a lot of the time main as much as this era answering completely different variations of the “What are you doing for Christmas?” query. It’s a query that, relying on my temper and my willingness for a chat, receives a different reply.
Typically to keep away from awkwardness and to rush issues alongside, I say it’s going to be a quiet one, which is mostly true in my case. Different instances I’m sincere and say I don’t rejoice, which comes with its personal follow-up questions.
As a Muslim I do, nonetheless, have my very own festive celebrations in the course of the yr. Over three million Muslims in England collect to rejoice Eid-al-Fitr — to mark the top of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting, and Eid-al-Adha — to commemorate the prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son to point out his dedication to God.
There are components of Christmas I like — specifically the lights, the festive spirit and, in fact, the tacky movies. However what I like most about Christmas Day is that it’s my one assured day of relaxation in your entire yr, the place emails and different duties are locked away (at the very least for the following 48 hours).
But, similar to the variety of individuals throughout the Muslim neighborhood, the best way during which we spend Christmas Day displays that. Some Muslims participate in Christmas celebrations, others select to not. Finally, how we select to spend the day is a private determination. On this notice, I’ve spoken to 6 different Muslims about how they rejoice the festive interval.
Nusiba Taufik, 30, Liverpool, Physician
“This Christmas I’ll be working similar to I’ve performed for roughly the previous six years. Usually colleagues who rejoice Christmas wish to swap shifts with me and I’m comfortable to take action.
“It’s like some other day within the hospital — I work in obstetrics and gynaecology, so infants come every time they wish to, however Christmas infants get Christmas-themed child hats. Some individuals may put on festive clothes and we’ve some vacation music within the background and meals for employees.
“Earlier than I grew to become a health care provider, Christmas was only a regular day spent at house with my household — plus the odd Christmas movie.”
Aisha Rosalie, 24, London, Youtuber
“I transformed to Islam two years in the past, however my mum celebrates Christmas so I’ll be visiting her on the day. Normally, we’ll go and watch the annual Christmas Day swim at Hyde Park, in addition to prepare dinner and eat plenty of meals.
“We additionally love to do one thing charitable on the day, so previously, we’ve given out sandwiches and snacks to the homeless.
“We used to trade items, however I now not participate in that anymore. Whereas I don’t rejoice Christmas, I’m comfortable to be with my mum and to help her to the very best of my means on the day. I really feel like I get a free cross out of the stuff I didn’t get pleasure from anyway, just like the materialistic aspect of all of it.
“I want to exchange giving items with making higher selections with my cash and placing it in locations the place individuals really want it.”
Zahra Iqbal, 22, Manchester, Communications Officer
“I’m from a very massive Pakistani household and everybody’s all over, and so Christmas is usually the one time within the final months of the yr the place all of us get collectively. In contrast to Eid, Christmas is a 100 per cent assured time when everybody in my household is free.
“It’s extra about spending time collectively as a household, all cosied up with a pleasant roast dinner and a cup of tea. Earlier than Covid, there have been in all probability round 30 of us coming collectively on the day.
“I feel individuals consider that as a result of we’re Muslim, we don’t like Christmas movies or festive music, but it surely’s fairly the alternative. Numerous us are born right here, take part in actions as children and Christmas tradition will get instilled into us. We simply put our personal spin on it.”
Sabah Ahmedi, 27, London, Imam
“Islam teaches to respect others’ values and tradition. As Muslims, we don’t rejoice Christmas however as a member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim neighborhood, we assist individuals attend church providers, participate in meals drives and attempt to assist and play an element within the pleasure of these people who’re celebrating alone.
“On a private stage, my in-laws aren’t Muslim so I spend the day with them and partake of their happiness whereas they rejoice Christmas. They offer presents to my kids and we give them presents, and we even have a halal roast dinner. It’s necessary for me to be with them at this particular time they usually additionally come and rejoice each Eids with us.”
Aisha Hassan, 33, Doncaster, Advertising and marketing Officer
“Normally I spend the day at house with the household, typically watching Christmas movies. We’re simply ready for the subsequent day once we can exit once more to hit the outlets for the Boxing Day gross sales.
“This yr, we’ll be staying the night time in a lodge in Manchester — we fancied a change of surroundings and the outlets are nice there too, so we may be ready for the gross sales the subsequent day.
“We even have some household buddies who’re Christian and infrequently invite us over to eat and rejoice with them. As we’re all Nigerian, the dinner is often a mixture of a standard roast dinner and Nigerian meals, so there’ll be turkey alongside the likes of pepper soup and jollof rice.”
Farah Chowdhury, 28, London, Communications Supervisor
“This Christmas we’re spending it just about the identical approach we spend each Christmas. My mum is often accountable for the kitchen, however Christmas is the one time after I get to be in cost.
“I make a meal for the household, which is our tackle a Christmas meal. We don’t have turkey, however we’ll put an Asian twist on every little thing else, which suggests every little thing is spicy — spicy potatoes, spicy greens, spicy rice and extra. We’ll additionally watch some movies and perhaps play a board recreation.
“Given the best way my household’s work schedules are organised, we benefit from all being off on Christmas Day. It’s all about being collectively and having the ability to relaxation on the similar time.”
These interviews have been condensed for readability.
Kaynak: briturkish.com