Muslim Guy Celebrating His First Christmas Shares His Observations On Twitter, And They’re Hilariously Accurate
Christian families instill Christmas traditions into their children really early in their lives—by the time we become rational adults, we don’t question the ceremonies. We follow the etiquette, devoted, like members of a royal family, knowing precisely what responsibility each of us has. But what if you’re not Christian? What if last Christmas, you just ordered Popeyes and watched a movie, but this year, the pandemic trapped you and your roommates together? You could dissociate yourself from the holiday season… Or you could approach it with anthropological precision and share your observations on Twitter. Mohammad Hussain, who found himself in precisely such a situation, chose the latter. And over 300,000 people liked it.
More info: Twitter
Image credits: MohammadHussain
Image credits: MohammadHussain
Image credits: MohammadHussain
Image credits: MohammadHussain
Image credits: MohammadHussain
Image credits: MohammadHussain
Image credits: MohammadHussain
Image credits: MohammadHussain
Image credits: MohammadHussain
Image credits: MohammadHussain
Image credits: MohammadHussain
Image credits: MohammadHussain
Image credits: MohammadHussain
“I want to applaud longtime Christmas celebrators,” Hussain concluded. “This is a lot of work and very tiring. I will say I am having a very pleasant time.”
Hussain, who works as a special assistant in the office of the Innovation Minister Navdeep Bains, asked people to celebrate Christmas with him by donating to charities to help families through this particularly tough season. He suggested two in the Toronto area, near where he grew up: Milton Halal Food Bank and Parkdale Food Centre.
Mohammad told HuffPost Canada he’s glad that this story has resonated with so many people and hopefully brought a smile to people in a year we sorely need more smiles.
Image credits: MohammadHussain
Here’s what people said after reading Mohammad’s thread
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1. This is really cute. 2. 90% of commentors seem like assholes, nobody cares about your opinion, sit down.
Thank you, someone had to say it.
But... But, you just commentated with an opinion....
And you are most welcome to not care about my opinion 😁
Jason Swick -
1. I hate that this had to be said. 2. I'm grateful that someone said it. 3. I love the way YOU said it.
.....
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
So what did chafe your ego?? The fact that Christianity stole Christmas from pagans .or the fact that it's a commercial festival ,disasterous to family relationships and your own religion. Or perhaps it's the tooting of your own horn when u realise it isn't the celebration of the birth of Jesus, as he was born in March/april. But railroading of the existing more secular, diverse , connected to earth religion of pagans in the name of power and influence. Every religion has its root in power play, but no other widespread religion was solely started to hold power & money for the rich. So perhaps u should consider siting the f**k down.
Oh hi, I'm not a Christian, please stop making assumptions about people, and I actually agree with most of what you just said so I have no idea why you're yelling at me. I think everyone should be able to celebrate Christmas if and how they want to and with whatever meaning they choose to attribute to it without people shouting at them about how everything they believe is wrong. But that's just me 🤷
I remember being inspired by Christmas gift giving when I was 9, so I tried it out by getting my sister's gifts on Eid, lol. I can't see myself doing that every year, it's such a high maintenance tradition. I also find secret santas stressfull, buying gifts for relatives and friend's is hard enough, and now I'm suposed to get something for that boy whose name I just found out. I love Christmas lights though, so pretty!
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
Mohammad Ammar yes
I can relate to this! I grew up in a secular Muslim household, first generation Americans so we really had no clue about Christmas. My parents would get me gifts just so I wouldn’t feel left out from my friends but nobody knew much about the traditions. When I grew up I went Christmas crazy. To me it’s obvious that Christmas doesn’t and never did have shït to do with religion. It’s a holiday for presents, Santa, snow and lights. Those are the true meaning of Christmas. I’m obsessed with giving and receiving gifts, so it works out that I just love Christmas. It’s kind of the only thing I liked about winter for years. Middle eastern people - don’t miss out on Christmas! Santa looks A LOT like Hajji Firuz.
Xmas is based on previous pagan traditions like Saturnalia or Yule. So don’t let any Christian fundamentalist tell you that you can’t celebrate it. There is nothing inherently Christian about the festivity. Enjoy it!
I agree! I’m a hardcore atheist so I’ve done a lot of reading about the origins of different traditions and religions. Christmas is also right near the Iranian cultural celebration we have called Yalda which I think is the exact same thing as Yule / Solstice. Just Persian-ified.
I think this year Santa wears a white coat 🥼 and works in a lab 🧪!!!
Lol! So true, giving us the gift of good health would make this the best Christmas ever. Dr. Santa. Kris Kringle MD.
As a relatively observant, albeit progressive, Christian, the whole idea of American Christmas being religious (despite what fundamentalists might say) makes me roll my eyes. In the liturgical calendar the four weeks leading up to Christmas are a time of darkness and penance NOT celebration. Christmas runs from Dec 25 - Jan 5 with the Epiphany on Jan 6. That is the celebratory period. So when a fundie chides "I'm a Christian so I say Merry Christmas!" I clap back with "Oh, you're one of those people who serves the birthday cake before the guest of honor has arrived. STFU and just enjoy the Northern European Yule traditions for what they are -- a reminder that the green of spring will come and the light will return.
Most of my family are either atheists or agnostics and we love Christmas. Christmas carols and an angel on the tree. Tons of food and family.
1. This is really cute. 2. 90% of commentors seem like assholes, nobody cares about your opinion, sit down.
Thank you, someone had to say it.
But... But, you just commentated with an opinion....
And you are most welcome to not care about my opinion 😁
Jason Swick -
1. I hate that this had to be said. 2. I'm grateful that someone said it. 3. I love the way YOU said it.
.....
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
So what did chafe your ego?? The fact that Christianity stole Christmas from pagans .or the fact that it's a commercial festival ,disasterous to family relationships and your own religion. Or perhaps it's the tooting of your own horn when u realise it isn't the celebration of the birth of Jesus, as he was born in March/april. But railroading of the existing more secular, diverse , connected to earth religion of pagans in the name of power and influence. Every religion has its root in power play, but no other widespread religion was solely started to hold power & money for the rich. So perhaps u should consider siting the f**k down.
Oh hi, I'm not a Christian, please stop making assumptions about people, and I actually agree with most of what you just said so I have no idea why you're yelling at me. I think everyone should be able to celebrate Christmas if and how they want to and with whatever meaning they choose to attribute to it without people shouting at them about how everything they believe is wrong. But that's just me 🤷
I remember being inspired by Christmas gift giving when I was 9, so I tried it out by getting my sister's gifts on Eid, lol. I can't see myself doing that every year, it's such a high maintenance tradition. I also find secret santas stressfull, buying gifts for relatives and friend's is hard enough, and now I'm suposed to get something for that boy whose name I just found out. I love Christmas lights though, so pretty!
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
Mohammad Ammar yes
I can relate to this! I grew up in a secular Muslim household, first generation Americans so we really had no clue about Christmas. My parents would get me gifts just so I wouldn’t feel left out from my friends but nobody knew much about the traditions. When I grew up I went Christmas crazy. To me it’s obvious that Christmas doesn’t and never did have shït to do with religion. It’s a holiday for presents, Santa, snow and lights. Those are the true meaning of Christmas. I’m obsessed with giving and receiving gifts, so it works out that I just love Christmas. It’s kind of the only thing I liked about winter for years. Middle eastern people - don’t miss out on Christmas! Santa looks A LOT like Hajji Firuz.
Xmas is based on previous pagan traditions like Saturnalia or Yule. So don’t let any Christian fundamentalist tell you that you can’t celebrate it. There is nothing inherently Christian about the festivity. Enjoy it!
I agree! I’m a hardcore atheist so I’ve done a lot of reading about the origins of different traditions and religions. Christmas is also right near the Iranian cultural celebration we have called Yalda which I think is the exact same thing as Yule / Solstice. Just Persian-ified.
I think this year Santa wears a white coat 🥼 and works in a lab 🧪!!!
Lol! So true, giving us the gift of good health would make this the best Christmas ever. Dr. Santa. Kris Kringle MD.
As a relatively observant, albeit progressive, Christian, the whole idea of American Christmas being religious (despite what fundamentalists might say) makes me roll my eyes. In the liturgical calendar the four weeks leading up to Christmas are a time of darkness and penance NOT celebration. Christmas runs from Dec 25 - Jan 5 with the Epiphany on Jan 6. That is the celebratory period. So when a fundie chides "I'm a Christian so I say Merry Christmas!" I clap back with "Oh, you're one of those people who serves the birthday cake before the guest of honor has arrived. STFU and just enjoy the Northern European Yule traditions for what they are -- a reminder that the green of spring will come and the light will return.
Most of my family are either atheists or agnostics and we love Christmas. Christmas carols and an angel on the tree. Tons of food and family.