PrettyGood Posted December 25, 2012 Share Posted December 25, 2012 I've sent tons of Merry Christmas postcards to my international friends on Facebook. However, those who were Muslims and who believe in Islam, they just replied with a short laughing icon "Well, thank you, but you know, we don't celebrate christmas, hahah, however it's very nice of you" Was is a bad manner to wish them Merry Christmas? I mean, I never thought that they will react this way Link to comment
lavenderdove Posted December 25, 2012 Share Posted December 25, 2012 No, the standard for this time of year for those who are not Christians is just a 'Happy Holidays' wish or card. Many people forget that Christmas is a religious holiday, and it is polite to respect someone's religious beliefs. So a 'Happy Holidays' or a 'Happy New Year' card is a safe way to acknowledge the time of year without bringing religion into it. Link to comment
Fudgie Posted December 25, 2012 Share Posted December 25, 2012 I don't think they seemed offended. I honestly don't understand people who get upset when someone wishes them well on a holiday they don't celebrate. I am not religious and take no issue with people wishing me Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, whatever. Just do your thing. If someone gets offended, that's their issue. Link to comment
Batya33 Posted December 25, 2012 Share Posted December 25, 2012 I do not wish anyone a merry christmas unless I know for sure they celebrate. I use "happy holidays" in addition to "thank you" at stores or similar. And I say "happy holidays" back to whoever wishes it to me. Link to comment
Gilson Posted December 25, 2012 Share Posted December 25, 2012 It doesn't seem they're offended, but it doesn't show much thought if the greeting isn't personlised. Know what I mean? Link to comment
Doc Blaze Posted December 25, 2012 Share Posted December 25, 2012 uhh was it like a mass message like one big chain message or did you send an individual message to each friend...if it was me and i knew they were muslim i would of personally sent them a happy holidays message... Link to comment
Seraphim Posted December 25, 2012 Share Posted December 25, 2012 They were not offended. Link to comment
lavenderdove Posted December 25, 2012 Share Posted December 25, 2012 Anytime anyone says, 'thank you, but....' it doesn't necessarily mean they are offended, but it does mean they are (mildly) correcting you and you should respect their beliefs in future and just wish them a happy holidays next time. Link to comment
DN Posted December 25, 2012 Share Posted December 25, 2012 Some of my Muslim friends and neighbours celebrate Christmas to an extent. My next-door neighbours put up Christmas lights and we exchange gifts. One Muslim with whom I worked said his kids would never let them get away without putting up a tree and getting gifts. Remember that Muslims revere Jesus too although they they view him differently: link removed Link to comment
ApocalypseDreams Posted December 25, 2012 Share Posted December 25, 2012 When I was traveling around the Middle East, around Christmas time, I got more 'Merry Christmas' wishes from Muslims than I receive from people here in Australia around Christmas time. I don't think your friends were offended, just might have found it abit funny. Happy holidays would of been more appropriate. Link to comment
PrettyGood Posted January 2, 2013 Author Share Posted January 2, 2013 uhh was it like a mass message like one big chain message or did you send an individual message to each friend...if it was me and i knew they were muslim i would of personally sent them a happy holidays message... It was personal message, not a mass email I just didn't thought about Muslims and "Happy Holidays" phrase, so I sent "Merry Christmas" Link to comment
itsallgrand Posted January 2, 2013 Share Posted January 2, 2013 It's interesting and can be a mine field sometimes with all the various peoples and religions to consider, non religions to consider, etc. ! At my work place alone, we hit pretty much every big button. But for me, it's Christmas. I accidentally wished my boss and co-workers a Merry One two years in a row now. Last year I got corrected, this year, they simply said thank you. And maybe it's because I go out of my way to also acknowledge their special holidays? I don't know. Some people are more forgiving on the matter than others. But everyone seems to enjoy holiday treats. So long as it isn't a fasting time when you bring them! lol. I really dislike "happy holidays" or feeling like we all gotta watch our P+Qs constantly. Makes it all so bland and boring that way, IMO. Maybe send them a little special email at the next holiday you know they do celebrate? Could be a nice gesture. Link to comment
Seraphim Posted January 2, 2013 Share Posted January 2, 2013 Think about it this way. "Holidays" comes from holy days. Link to comment
Limiya Posted June 24, 2013 Share Posted June 24, 2013 Nope. I have a lot of Muslim friends, and work with a lot of Muslims also. None of them take offense at all to people wishing them a Merry Christmas. In fact, the wish it back. I get Christmas cards too from them every year, even though they don't particularly celebrate it. They love the atmosphere that time of year too and my work colleagues put Christmas trees up in the office. They like to festivities of it. some of them even exchange gifts and have a big meal on Christmas day too. Your friends probably just found it funny and let you know, but still thanked you too. Limiya Link to comment
Sparklesong Posted August 5, 2013 Share Posted August 5, 2013 It would be a nice gesture to keep your ears and eyes open for their holidays and send them greetings for those when they roll around. I used to work in a company with a lot of "diversity" and I thought it was kind of fun to share the different celebrations of the different religions, and wish each other things like Happy Ramedan (sp?), Chinese New Year, Persian New Year, and of course, Hanukah and Passover. When you're nice, they bring in really good holiday food! Link to comment
kate124 Posted August 20, 2013 Share Posted August 20, 2013 Muslims do not have a concept of celebrating christmas. It is purely a christian concept. Just like Muslims do not send Happy Eid day to their christian brothers (who will also get surprise if they get an Eid Card), they do not expect "Marry Christmas" messages from their christian brothers. Link to comment
Lonewing Posted August 20, 2013 Share Posted August 20, 2013 ... Christmas is a pagan holiday celebrated by the Germanic tribes for centuries before the romans ever showed up... The central figure should be noted...do we go to the mall to see the three wise men, or do we go to see father Christmas? Christmas itself is an idea that goes beyond the roman's claim, an idea that all people can [and do] celebrate even if they don't call it "Christmas." If they celebrate another holiday, they may reply, "Happy Hanukah," or "Happy Quanza," or "Happy Holidays," or whatever phrase they may find suitable including, "Merry Christmas." It is not our place to decide what gifts others give us, and this includes the gift of well wishes...it's the thought that counts, anyways, no? Link to comment
Fushigidane Posted November 11, 2013 Share Posted November 11, 2013 I don't think they'd be offended. As mentioned before the Muslim people respect Jesus though they don't see him a a savior. Link to comment
alli Posted November 14, 2013 Share Posted November 14, 2013 I think it is nice when people show that they recognize the holidays that people of different backgrounds celebrate. It shows that you are not only aware that different cultures and religions exist but that you have made yourself knowledgeable of what events are or are not celebrated by each one. At the same time, I don't think I would be offended at all if someone wished me Happy Eid or Happy Hanukkah. The message was well-intended and should be taken as such. Anyone who is offended when they receive such messages about a holiday that they don't celebrate or recognize simply has a chip on their shoulder. But being cognizant of the events of other cultures, customs and religions shows that you have made some sort of effort in promoting cultural awareness and I see it as sort of "above and beyond" and would be particularly appreciated. Link to comment
pl3asehelp Posted November 14, 2013 Share Posted November 14, 2013 It just demonstrates you know nothing about their religion, which some could see as bad manners. Link to comment
lavenderdove Posted November 14, 2013 Share Posted November 14, 2013 This is a year old thread everyone.... Link to comment
alli Posted November 14, 2013 Share Posted November 14, 2013 This is a year old thread everyone.... I know but it is an interesting topic! And the holidays are about to roll around again so it is relevant Link to comment
Fushigidane Posted November 15, 2013 Share Posted November 15, 2013 my one friend is muslim and celebrates xmas harder than the most strict christian I have ever seen. He wears tacky sweaters, gives gifts. It depends on the person. He thinks it's great. As has been said (I think) Muslim respect Jesus, they just don't think he is the savior. I went to my friends house for xmas and it was a little odd. We exchanged gifts then right to the prayer rug. I think eveyone can enjoy it. Link to comment
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