Bring Back the Christmas Cheer!

By Farzana Hassan-Shahid

Some of the fondest memories of my childhood go back to those Christmas days, sitting by my grandmother's old piano, listening to her play "O Come All ye Faithful" as a preamble to other, more sprightly Christmas Carols. A particular favorite of mine was the old West Indian Carol "He comes from the Glorious Kingdom". Beside the piano, stood a Christmas tree, lit up and decorated, not with candy cane, silver bells or mistletoe, but sundry home-made ornaments-- mostly colorful ribbons or cherubs cut out of cardboard. Store-bought ornaments were somewhat difficult to come by in predominantly Muslim Pakistan.

Yet back in the mid-sixties in Pakistan, Methodist Christian Elizabeth, radiated the warmth and joy of Christmas all around her. With much care and regard for her religious sentiment, her supportive family celebrated Christmas along with her, and with the same degree of exuberance and religious fervor. Upon her arrival from England earlier, they had made her feel welcome in a strange land. Many of my grandma's Christian friends joined us for the traditional Christmas dinner as we, her grandchildren, excitedly ran around the tree, anxiously waiting to open up the Christmas presents.

Usually never more than coloring books, pencils or rag dolls, those presents always generated an infectious Christmas mirth.

Christmas Eve was spent making authentic English pudding, with dried raisins, bread, and yes, even a touch of Brandy in a Muslim home!

Undoubtedly, it was the best-tasting Christmas pudding ever! Turn by turn, all of the grandchildren would come to "stir their luck", as the pudding took a good nine hours to cook. I would also be standing on a chair beside the stove, stirring my good luck under my grandma's protective glance.

Sadly, gone are those days of tolerance, humanity, warmth and the feeling of community, irrespective of who you are, what you believe and where you've come from. My country of origin has become a far more inhospitable place for non-Muslims now.

My adoptive country on the other hand, seems to be pursuing a policy of multiculturalism with the pendulum swinging the other way. Political correctness according to many, demands a Christmas tree be called a "Holiday tree", Christmas wishes be sent to loved ones as " Season's Greetings"or "Holiday" wishes and so forth, to ensure inclusivity.

The debate over Christmas terminology is revived each year. Only recently there was an uproar in Boston, Massachusetts over whether to call a tree donated by Canadian Donnie Hatt, a "Christmas" tree or a "Holiday" tree.

Though Canada's admirable policy of multiculturalism must continue, there is no need to obliterate the dominant culture in order to accommodate subcultures. They can all flourish side by side.

As a Muslim living in Canada, I have always enjoyed the right to practice my religion freely which means, I can also celebrate my festivals according to tradition. No one has ever told me I cannot call my religious holidays by their traditional name.

If therefore, as a member of a minority community, I am allowed to call my festivals Eid-ul-Fitr, Ramadan and Eid-ul Azha, why must Christians be censured for calling their festival Christmas or Easter? Why can't they call the tree, a Christmas tree?

I therefore say to all fellow Canadians: Bring back the Christmas cheer, decorate the Christmas tree, give Christmas presents and invite me over when you make your Christmas pudding. I also wish all my Christian friends a very Merry Christmas and all the peace and blessings of a wonderful new year!

Farzana Hassan-Shahid is a member of the Muslim Canadian Congress.