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In recent news, the seasonal greeting of “Merry Christmas” is once again the center of controversy. Here’s what our Muslim friends had to say to clear up the issue.
On 14th December 2023, Berry’s bakery sent out an internal memo to its staff which instructed them not to use the popular seasonal greetings “Merry Christmas” in their cakes and decorations.
Instead, employees were told they could replace it with the generic and non-denominational “Season’s Greetings” instead. According to the memorandum issued by the bakery, they were merely trying to follow the guidelines laid out by Jakim.
This recent controversy harkens back to an older case in 2020 where a local bakery told a customer it could not decorate a cake with the words “Merry Christmas” in fear of flouting the certification rules and losing their halal status.
Jakim lifts ban on non-Islamic festive greetings for products on display
In response, Jakim has made a statement on Monday (Dec 18) to clarify their stance on the issue.
In the statement, the department said that the directive from 2020, which banned products containing non-Islamic festive greetings being put on display, is now no longer in effect.
“With this explanation, Jakim’s previous statement in 2020 is no longer applicable,” said Jakim’s Corporate Communications department which operates under the Halal Management Division.
Based on Jakim’s statement, the consensus is clear: For business premises that are halal-certified, there is no restriction to write any festive greetings on cake orders or anything similar.
Jakim further clarified that it is committed to reviewing and re-evaluating any related matters in the MPPHM.
On 20th December, Berry’s Cake House removed the internal ban and issued an apology to its customers for the misinterpretation of the Jakim ruling.
Is it controversial for Muslim Malays to wish someone “Merry Christmas”?
This recent storm-in-a-teacup issue highlights the importance of cross-cultural understanding and tolerance between different religions.
IRL reached out to various Muslims living in the Klang Valley to lay the issue to rest once and for all: Is it controversial for a Muslim to wish someone Merry Christmas?
Coffee brewer Rasyid, 29, says:
“No, it’s a non-issue. It’s just fanning the flames to sow ethnic discord,” Rasyid said, while sorting some coffee beans. “Most Malay Muslims in the country are just minding their own business. Very silly loh to be upset or worried or fearful about it. I remain firm that it’s a non-issue.”
Marketing exec Aiman, 32, says:
“I don’t know why now it’s such a big deal. I don’t remember it being an issue when we were growing up,” says Aiman, who was designing a Christmas greeting social media post as we spoke. “I recall it was maybe around 2015 that it became an issue.”
Fresh grad Armani, 25, says:
“To be honest, it depends on who you’re asking. Some Muslims are more secure in their belief and they won’t think of it as controversial, but rather as just sharing the cheers. Some Muslims pula will think that even saying “Merry Christmas” or “Happy CNY” or even “Happy Deepavali” is equivalent to celebrating the entire thing. Honestly, if you’re saying something just for the sake of saying it, in my opinion it should be okay.”
College student Sharifah, 23, says:
“For conservative Muslims, yes. They will just say Happy Christmas, Selamat Hari Natal, X-mass or whatever but not Merry Christmas,” says Sharifah, while playing with her two cats.
“I dunno what the reasoning is, but maybe saying “Merry” is like, we are wishing prosperity to non-Muslims? It could also just be a cultural thing, like how Muslims don’t say peace be upon you (assalamualaikum) to greet non-Muslims.”
Marketing manager Mustafa, 30, says:
“I’ve noticed other non Malays just wishing me Happy New Year, while I wish them Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,” says Mustafa as he packed his bicycles into his car.
“By the way, I think I might be the wrong Malay to ask this cause I’m quite the liberal Malay who dated Christian girls and even went Christmas caroling once, haha!” he added, grinning mischievously.
“And yes with the Malay community I avoid saying Merry Christmas, especially now with the war on Gaza, people are a little bit more sensitive now.”
Oil and gas engineer Yasmin, 40 says:
“Honestly, I don’t mind because I know that my faith is still strong to Islam. Even my girls sing Christmas songs at home when they watch Youtube,” says Yasmin.
“But, according to a ruling by this mufti, it is actually haram for us to wish Merry Christmas because Christmas is a religious celebration where Christians celebrate the joy of the birth of Jesus. And as a Muslim, we cannot celebrate or involve/wish in other’s religious celebration. So for me personally, I refer to the mufti.”
Grab driver Khairul, 28 says:
“For me, if you want to wish someone Merry Christmas out of respect it’s fine,” he said, as he checked his GPS.
“But technically, we’re not supposed to, because it’s against what we Muslims believe. We believe the Bible in the time of Jesus our Prophet Isa has been changed a lot.” He added, “Sorry for not explaining clearly. I really don’t know how to explain about this. You can search Syeikh Ahmed Deedat or Dr. Zakir Naik about Muslim wishing Merry Christmas to the Christians.”
PAS released a media statement wishing everyone a Merry Christmas
Image via @PASpusat on X(formerly Twitter)
While most Muslims we interviewed found the topic subjective and up to personal interpretation, the Malaysian Islamic party PAS seems to have taken a very strong stance regarding the matter, and this is what they had to say:
“PAS wishes all Christian Malaysians a Merry Christmas and hopes that it would be celebrated smoothly in a safe and harmonious environment, paving the way to better and meaningful days ahead.
The harmonious and festive celebration of various religious or cultural events in this country is a manifestation of our culture of gentleness, tolerance and mutual respect that has long been firmly established in our society.
Thus, it must be defended from any inclinations that may weaken the practice of such qualities, as well as nurtured with the awareness that the existing diversity is a treasure for Malaysian society which adds value to the quality of our togetherness.
As an Islamic party, PAS celebrates and is always open to such diversity, not only as a special feature of our society, but also as the core of Islamic teachings which embraces such reality in the bonds of our great human family, inclusive of people of all races, cultures and religions, legally and honorably.
Merry Christmas and happy holidays. Thank you.” — Takiyuddin Hassan, Secretary General of PAS
The media statement was released on the 24th of December, Christmas Eve. It was shared on their social media platforms and has been signed off by Takiyuddin Hassan, Secretary General of PAS.
Despite its reputation amongst certain quarters of Malaysian netizens as being a “hardline and fundamentalist” Islamic party, the fact that PAS released a statement that promoted tolerance of religious diversity is one to be lauded and respected.
Do you wish “Merry Christmas” to your Christian friends?
Share your thoughts in the comments!
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Read also: What It’s Like Working a 13-Hour Kitchen Shift on Christmas Day
What It’s Like Working a 13-Hour Kitchen Shift on Christmas Day
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