Christmas- Dilemma for the Muslims

Showkat —

Salaams


Please comment on the issues discussed in the poem and post your own stories about how you deal with this dilemma


[color=green][b]Christmas is here


Tis the season to be jolly

and festive

Peace and good will to all men and women

It’s finally here

But for Muslims it holds many fears

Dilemmas

And tears


How to reject Christmas cards without being rude

Whether to send any in return

To reciprocate greetings

Or just smile and nod and appear non-committal


Christmas party is the highlight of the year

All dressed up and equal

Mistletoe and wine

Women competing to kiss you

Because you have managed to resist their charms thus far

And they know that you aint queer


Do you say no blatantly?

Or choose diplomacy

Accept, but not turn up

Due to a family tragedy


The choices are simple

Either you fit in

By compromising your iman

Or be the odd one out

By holding onto Islam


Get called names

Killjoy and fanatic

Shamed and marginalised

Subject of gossip, backbiting and slander

Promotion chances destroyed

Labelled a loner

Your career is a goner


Other Muslims quoted as examples

Mo who prays jummah every friday is coming

With his girl friend

So is Aysh who wears the hijab with her business suit

And plucked eyebrows and make up

They’re religious, British and Muslim

Both stand for the customary minutes silence

on 7/7 and 9/11

while u mysteriously disappear to the loo


Why do you have to be an extremist?

They participate

why don’t you?


You follow Islam completely

No compromise

You know to participate

In the festive season

Is blasphemy

And treason against Allah

Who never had a son as some claim


You are convinced of Islam intellectually

And they are scared to debate

You refuted their arguments about evolution

And showed it to be a fallacy

But they persist

And insist

That they are right

As they take flight

Talking about you and sending emails

But they fail

To prove how the universe came into existence


You know that honesty and truth is the best policy

Instead of lying

And playing with words

So you tell them straight

Looking them in the eye

‘I am a Muslim

We do not celebrate the festivals of other religions.’


And you feel good knowing

That you have passed a big test

No regrets

And if Allah is pleased with you

Nothing else matters.[/b][/color]


Forum
General

You — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 - 19:35

I think it is a no issue.


If someone gives me a card, I accept it. Says nothing about me. I generally don't give any out, but there is always a "seasons greetings" option.


and instead of saying "Merry Christmas", say "Enjoy your holidays."


I think there is something really wrong with the message that poem gives...


Ya'qub — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 - 19:38

[quote="You"]I think it is a no issue.


If someone gives me a card, I accept it. Says nothing about me. I generally don't give any out, but there is always a "seasons greetings" option.


and instead of saying "Merry Christmas", say "Enjoy your holidays."


I think there is something really wrong with the message that poem gives...[/quote]


woooooaaaaahhh. MAJOR deja vu.


O wait, last year when you posted this poem it wasn't in green text.


You — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 - 20:23

What is the dilemma?


Let the christians celebrate it.


besides we do not drink alcohol (well we are not supposed to anyway...) so no getting jolly...


Showkat — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 - 22:06

Well it may not be a dilemma for the people who posted, but it certianly is for many.


Also we need to educate non-Muslims by explaining to them why we dont do certain actions, instead of saying nothing and kepeing quite.


Surely if people are misguided it is our duty to guide them?