Does it really offend the Muslims if you greet them "Merry Christmas"?
By gsotes62
@gsotes62 (70)
Philippines
December 11, 2007 2:49pm CST
I am just wondering if this is the reason why some countries have "Holiday Parties" instead of "Christmas Parties"? or why some people greet other people with "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas"? Is it really offensive to them?
4 responses
@Harley009 (1416)
• India
18 Dec 07
I'm not going to offend when one say that .. :)
We do not celebrate Christmas, as our belief differs with it. But I used to greet my Christian friends "Merry Christmas". :)
Wish you a prosperous Merry Christmas!
@Harley009 (1416)
• India
18 Dec 07
Don't feel bad when some Muslims do not reply as "Merry Christmas" when you greet them, they may be more strong in their way of thinking. Some people say 'Happy Holidays' I know.
Myself don't celebrate the birth of prophet Mohammad itself ;) but I'm not much against to it though :)
We have two festivals in a year called EID.
1. Eid-ul-Fitr: (Eid of Giving) After 1 month fasting in the month month of 'Ramadan' in Hijri Callendar.
2. Eid-ul-Adha: (Eid of Sacrifice) on the day of Pilgrimage -Hajj.
Here EID (Eid u Adha) is tomorrow!
Wish you a happy EID! :)
@dutchess67 (917)
• United States
11 Dec 07
I don't believe that, in general, it offends them anymore than it would offend you if someone of Jewish descent wished you a Happy Hanuka (pardon my spelling, that looks wrong to me, but spell check says it's right) or an African-American who celebrates Kwanzaa wishing you a happy one of those.
I honestly believe that a verbose few who take offense to far too many things far too easily decided to push a point and ruined things for everyone. I DARE someone to accuse me of insensitivity for wishing them a "happy" anything. Trust me, I would very correctly prove my point if push were to come to the proverbial shove.
Why would someone get offended over being wish happiness? That's just stupid.
@gsotes62 (70)
• Philippines
12 Dec 07
I agree with you. I am just wondering why people are changing "Christmas Parties" into a "Holiday Party" or "Annual Get-Together", which are also celebrated on the same season. Is it politically uncorrect for companies to celebrate christmas every year? This political correctness issue is threatening Christmas, maybe one day, people will forget why they celebrate Christmas at all, and I do not want this to happen.
@jogie_bien (1103)
• Philippines
11 Dec 07
IT depends with person, some muslim people they considerate that its christmas for us.But some people who are not considerate enough to understand maybe yes.
@gsotes62 (70)
• Philippines
12 Dec 07
True. It depends on the person. In our town, we celebrate Fiesta every year to honor and offer thanks to our Patron Saint. We practice this as Catholics. Other Christian Sects (non-Catholic) who don't believe in Saints also join the celebration. They probably have different reasons though. It could be that they just wanted to join the crowd, or maybe just out of respect for the belief of their townmates. Muslims actuallly visit our town during the celebration. Their purpose, however, is to do retail business during this time when the town is fully crowded. Nevertheless, they still recognize what we are celebrating.
