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bismi-lLahi-rRahmani-rRahiem In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful === News Update === Non-Muslim celebrations 'eclipse Eid' : Christmas and New Years Celebrations Eclipse Eid in Muslim Countries [] Published: Saturday, 30 December, 2006, 10:56 AM Doha Time Staff Reporter AS THE New Year, Christmas and Eid al-Adha fall during the same period this year, some Qatar residents are of the opinion that the Eid has been overshadowed by non-Muslim festivals. According to a report in a local Arabic daily, these people blamed the department stores in Doha for what they called "total neglect" of Eid al-Adha and its related festivities. Mariam al-Nazer said that department stores were used to vying with one another for displaying their goods, gifts and decorations for Christmas and New Year. "I am not surprised at all by such practices as we are used to that. For Eid al-Adha they would only put up small posters saying 'Eid Mubarak'," al-Nazer said. Ehab Bayoumi said Islamic festivals are celebrated only at a limited level. "I do not see such dazzling lights and decorations for any Islamic occasion. They are exclusively for non-Muslim ones," Bayoumi said. "Our Eids are now confined to routine rituals and have become like a habit which does not exceed buying new clothes," he said. Hamid al-Manai criticised the practice of highlighting non-Muslim festivals at the expense of Eids. "It has led to an inverted situation where non-Muslim occasions overshadow Muslim ones." However, al-Manai held Muslims responsible for such social trends. "Muslims have contributed so much to the propaganda and promotion of the New Year parties. Most of the customers buying candles, decoration trees and coloured balls are Muslims," he said, adding that the majority of Muslims are more keen on celebrating New Year Eve than any Islamic occasion. "Some of my friends are used to giving New Year parties in their houses where they invite their relatives and friends," he said. Nora Salman Abdul Aziz said that Muslims constitute the majority of those participating in the New Year eve parties held in hotels. "I do not mind Muslims congratulating Christians on their festivals by sending messages or cards. This would promote mutual kindness which is ordained by Islam," she said, while stressing that Muslims should not take part in the non-Muslim practices such as putting lights out at midnight on New Year Eve or buying Christmas trees. "I have never seen a Christian who joined the Muslims on Eid al-Adha by slaughtering a lamb and distributing its meat," she added. Nihad Mousa said that Muslims are now exchanging greetings like "Merry Christmas" among themselves. "It seems that some people have forgotten that we live in a Muslim dominant community," she said. She blamed the people in charge of malls and stores for such practices. "They are vying to showcase and glorify Christmas and New Year by putting Christmas trees on display. It seems that stores are always fully prepared for the Christmas and New Year festivals while Eid al-Adha is not considered at all," she said. "I think that Eid al-Adha has been offered as a sacrifice for the New Year and Christmas this year," she said, adding that some Muslims have begun decorating their houses with Christmas trees. source: http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=125280&version=1&template_id=36&parent_id=16 === -muslim voice- ______________________________________ BECAUSE YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO KNOW [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
