A Muslim-American-Palestinian’s Christmas

By: Anwar M.

You know, although as a Muslim I don’t celebrate Christmas, I absolutely adore this time of year. Walking into stores as festive decorations fill the vision of your eyes, with the sound of holiday music gloriously blaring throughout the malls, in addition to shopping for presents for your non-Muslim friends. One cannot also forget the beautiful scene of snow falling as each snowflake differs in shape and size, and the smell of the wood burning in the fireplace inside. All I wish is to sit near a fire, sipping on hot chocolate, munching on the sweetness of Christmas cookies; I mean, you can’t help but enjoy this time of year.

As a Muslim-American, we hope that others are vigilant of our holiday, Eid, and the holy month of Ramadan, but I also firmly believe that as Muslims, it’s important to be vigilant of non-muslim holidays if we expect the same in return.

We have many similarities with the Christian faith, as many may not realize the importance of the Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him) and the Virgin Mary (May God be pleased with her) in the religion of Islam. The Abrahamic faiths have more in common than we may realize, although our society allows us to look at differences rather than what we share alike.

The Virgin Mary’s story as she welcomed baby Jesus is stated clearly in the Quran, as Allah (glory be to Him) mentions in Chapter 19 verses 16-33:

“And mention in the Book (the story of) Mary, when she withdrew from her family to an eastern place.  And she placed a screen to seclude herself from them.  Then We sent to her Our angel (Gabriel), and he took the form of a well-created man before her.  She said, “Indeed I seek refuge with the Most Merciful from you, if you do fear God.” (The angel) said, ‘I am only the messenger of your Lord to give to you (the news of) a pure boy.’  She said, ‘How can I have a son, when no man has touched me (in marriage), and I am not a prostitute?’  He said, So your Lord said, ‘It is easy for Me.  And We will make him a sign to people and a mercy from Us.  And it is a matter (already) decided.’” (Quran 19:16-21)

“So she conceived him, and she withdrew with him to a remote place.  And the pains of childbirth drove her to the trunk of a palm tree.  She said, ‘I wish I had died before this, and had been long forgotten.  [Mary was worried that people would think badly of her as she was not married.]  Then (baby Jesus) called her from below her, saying, ‘Don’t be sad.  Your Lord has provided a stream under you.’  Shake the trunk of the palm tree towards you, and it will drop on you fresh ripe dates.  So eat and drink and be happy.  And if you see any human, then say, ‘Indeed I have vowed a fast to the Most Merciful so I will not speak to any human today.’  Then she carried him and brought him to her people.  They said, ‘O Mary, indeed you have done a great evil.’  ‘O sister of Aaron, your father was not an evil man, and your mother was not a fornicator.’  So she pointed to him.  They said, ‘How can we speak to a child in the cradle?’  Jesus said, ‘Indeed, I am a slave of God.  He has given me the Scripture and made me a prophet. And He has made me blessed wherever I may be, and He has enjoined on me prayer and charity as long as I remain alive.  And (has made) me kind to my mother, and did not make me arrogant or miserable.  And peace be upon me the day I was born, and the day I will die, and the day I will be raised alive.’” (Quran 19:22-33)

Turn to the setting of a nativity scene for a moment, not only are Jesus and the Virgin Mary prominent figures in both Christianity and Islam, but the Virgin Mary is wearing a veil or hijab, as Muslim women wear as well, serving as an example and role model for women in both faiths.

Aside from mainly religion, culture clearly plays a significant role in being Palestinian at this time of year. For me, I see an extra vigilance in being Muslim, American, and Palestinian, as the Prophet Jesus is commemorated in my homeland especially extra at this time of year. In addition, the streets of Bethlehem, Jerusalem, and Ramallah are lined with the bright colors of the Christmas holiday, as Palestinian Christians, Muslims, and Jews come together to form an atmosphere of cross-cultural and religious awareness of one another’s holidays, and await for the Christmas tree lighting in the center of the town.

What a beautiful time of year, as it brings in happiness and cheer, from all across the globe, we see and hear the beautiful sounds of a wonderful holiday for our Christian friends all over the world. Merry Christmas to all those who celebrate, and a Happy and Prosperous New Year to all my friends and family across the world.

Peace and blessings to you all!