A MUSLIM MERRY CHRISTMAS

When asked whether it was acceptable to wish “Merry Christmas” to Christian friends or business associates, Indian Islamic preacher, Dr. Zakir Naik, declared, “Saying ‘Merry Christmas’ to a non-Muslim submits that Christ was the son of God and makes us one of them. It is one hundred percent wrong.” Dr. Zakir, a doctor of medicine, knows that the human body is a universally designed machine, created by one architect, and regardless of who/what that was, we are physically the same flesh and blood in need air, water, food, sunlight, love, etc. It is our thoughts that separate us from each other. However, acknowledging another person’s thoughts does not deny our own. If life experience shapes beliefs, how could we expect them to be the same? Wishing "Merry Christmas" to a non-Muslim is not about self interest, it’s about recognizing someone else’s customs.

Christmas is a time to remember charity, family, friends, and blessings. We give gifts and spend quality time with loved ones. Muslims celebrate Eid in similar fashion. http://islam.about.com/od/ramadan/f/eid_fitr.htm

Eid follows Ramadan in the Islamic calendar. It is a time to give in charity to those in need, and celebrate with family and friends the completion of a month of blessings and joy.
Before the day of Eid, during the last few days of Ramadan, each Muslim family gives a determined amount as a donation to the poor. This donation is of actual food -- rice, barley, dates, rice, etc. -- to ensure that the needy can have a holiday meal and participate in the celebration. On the day of Eid, Muslims gather early in the morning in outdoor locations or mosques to perform the Eid prayer. This consists of a sermon followed by a short congregational prayer.
After the Eid prayer, Muslims usually scatter to visit various family and friends, give gifts (especially to children), and make phone calls to distant relatives to give well-wishes for the holiday. These activities traditionally continue for three days. In most Muslim countries, the entire 3-day period is an official government/school holiday.

This year I greeted my Muslim friends, Ziad and Kamel, with “Happy Eid!” And, though it’s only customary to give children Eid gifts, I gave them presents anyway. I mixed essentials oils to create individual cologne fragrances. They were moved by my thoughtfulness and consideration. Ziad remembered the excitement of Eid gifts as a child and how much he cherished them. Kamel could not stop smelling his hand.

A few weeks later I was preparing for Christmas. My friends and family agreed, no presents this year, instead giving the precious gift of quality time. But, on Christmas Day I discovered a package wrapped in a colorful gift bag. Inside was an ipod from Ziad, he remembered that I wanted one, and from Kamel, a traditional Palestinian headdress (scarf) called hattah. In Jordan, where Kamel is from, they wear the red and white hattah, known as shmagh mhadab.

It was a Muslim "Merry Christmas" from my two very dear friends!

Eid Mubarak! (Blessed Eid!)
Merry Christmas!

Kul 'am wa enta bi-khair! (May every year find you in good health!)
And a Happy New Year!