COTABATO CITY, Philippines – The Philippine Grand Mufti has said Muslims are not prohibited from attending Christmas celebrations or cooperating with Christians in observing the event.
Sheikh Abu Hurairah Udasan of the Philippines’ Dharul Ifta (House of Opinion) said that in other Muslim countries like Malaysia, “official days like Christmas and Chinese holidays are recognized by the government, as an example of a harmonious country as far as religion is concerned.”
Udasan, who preaches both the Muslim and Christian doctrines on such timely issues as terrorism, said he found nothing wrong with Muslims cooperating with Christians to celebrate Christmas.
He cited as examples government Christmas parties, including those held in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
But he clarified that “we do not celebrate but we participate.”
He added that Muslims “should not be encouraged to believe that Jesus Christ was born on a December 25.”
But he said that “there are no great differences among us, because (each one follows) his own religion. (But) in Islam, we have to abstain ourselves from celebrating Christmas.”
Udasan said there has been a “misconception” on Muslims attending Christmas parties.
“Some of us Muslims, now the considered minority, would have to cooperate. There is nothing wrong with participating. It just means that there is a friendly relation between the two religions. It’s just a matter of pakikisama (getting along well),” he said.
Udasan said Muslims should not “oppose this celebration but let us be reminded not to encourage Muslims to believe that Jesus Christ was born on that day.”
Muslims regard the Christ as among the major prophets of God. He was known as Nabi Isa, the son of Maryam and the one who preceded Prophet Muhammad (SAW). SFM