The Editor,
I am writing because I have heard from the Christian parents at my children's school and other parents from other schools that their schools only allow "Happy Holidays" as the term for the Christmas holidays. Those parents feel the loss of their specific holiday festivities.
I understand their predicament and I also understand the need to assign such a term due to the cultural and religious diversity in our community.
But let's be straight: Dec. 25 has been in place due to the belief of a religion that Jesus was born that day and, hence, the celebration. I am a Muslim, born and raised in Pakistan, where Eid is celebrated as the nation's major festival. Even those who are not Muslim celebrate because they enjoy it. If I were living there still and that country would no longer be an Islamic country, I would feel the loss of my festival, too.
As for Muslims, they believe in Jesus anyway, so what harm is there to celebrate in Jesus' name when they do celebrate in Muhammad's name. The Qur'an has specified to make no distinction among the messengers and that includes Jesus and Moses, too. In light of this, Muslims should celebrate Jewish holidays, too, like Hanukkah.
I drove by a place yesterday and saw all the beautiful lights - it filled me with joy.
Living for 18 years now in Canada, it is my country and I do not find anything wrong to refer to this festival by its true identity. So I say: "Merry Christmas, to all of you."
Humera Ahsanullah, Coquitlam
