Nahela Morales – Christmas For New Muslims Don’t Isolate Yourselves
AI: Summary ©
The speaker discusses the difficulties of Christmas celebrations in the UK, including the lack of religious celebrations and the need for socializing with family. They suggest maintaining family ties and visiting family events, but also acknowledge the potential for feelings of isolation and sadness.
AI: Summary ©
Salam aleikum, everybody. So Christmas time is fast approaching
us. And for many new Muslims, this is a very difficult time we are
faced with dilemmas. Should we go and sit with our families should
we not? What many born Muslims don't understand is that this time
is full of traditions and fond memories and happiness. And it's
difficult for new Muslims. Because we don't know it. Should we
abandon that or not. I remember looking back at my family time at
Christmas, and it's always been full of fondness. And it's just
about family. We are not a religious family. And the 25th and
26th of December in in the UK are public holidays. So more than
likely this is when the whole of families can sit together because
everybody seems to be off at the same time. I'm from a coal mining
background. So you know, my dad used to have two weeks off for
Christmas and, and his brothers, and all of my relatives actually.
So it was just a time that we all used to congregate together and
just enjoy the season. It was never religious, we weren't
religious family, we didn't go to church to celebrate, there was no
actual religious celebration in it whatsoever. Unless you count the
hymns, and the nativity play done at every school, which still goes
on till now in the UK.
With my family, we used to go to my grandma's house from my
mother's side on Christmas Day. And we used to sit all together
me, my two sisters, my parents, my grandma, two of my Auntie's, and
my cousin, and we used to sit there and have a nice dinner. And
then after this, we would reenact school plays that we used to do,
for example, Cinderella, or Sleeping Beauty, because my
grandma didn't used to come and see them so often. And we used to
try and remember those so that we could do those in front of her, we
would also play with some toys that we had, or we would watch the
films on TV. And then later on at night, from my mother's side, one
of her other sisters would do her a big family get together at
night, and the kids would play party games like pass the pass. So
musical statues, musical chairs, and you know, it'd be full of
sandwiches and these lovely cakes and things that kids love. And
then on Boxing Day, we would do the exact same again only with my
dad's family. So it was just purely family time for us. So when
they got to be a common Muslim, I didn't stop it because it was the
only time that we can sit together. And because we had no
religious element in it whatsoever. There was nothing
wrong with it. And in Islam, we are supposed to keep how family
ties. So when I first got married, my husband had his first time with
us and it carried on up until my daughter was born. I have missed
just three Christmases with my family. The first one was actually
the first year I became a Muslim. But it was through work, I had to
work so I wasn't with my family whatsoever. And I think that was
the first time I probably felt how any new Muslim feels when they are
isolated, or maybe pushed out by their families because I was
completely alone. And it was so horrible for me.
And I just remember just being so sad. And it was nothing to do with
my family. I just had to work. But this is a choice that many new
Muslims face. And it's very difficult time. So my suggestion
here would be at least surround yourself with people who are also
not celebrating it. So you're not feeling alone, and you're not
feeling sad. Or maybe you can treat yourself for a few days
away, just to forget that and just try and have a little bit of fun
instead. The other two times was my daughter's birth because she
was born Christmas Eve which was the 24th of December, and we were
in hospital. But that was a joyous occasion in itself. And this the
time was I was ill. I had been diagnosed with cancer five months
beforehand. And so I was in Egypt for Christmas. And in Egypt. They
don't celebrate Christmas. Muslims don't anyway and the Christians
celebrated on the seventh of January. So it was just in very
normal time for me. And because of everything I was going through
even if I was at home, I don't think it would have been very nice
for me. Anyway. This year will be our first year in Canada as as a
three my husband and my daughter and I can't make her forget that
her family is Christian. We must keep those ties with those. So
she's been given presents from them and we've sent them presents
as well. Plus she gets her birthday the day before so she's
going to be happy spending lots of days playing with their new toys.
We will just have a quiet time just the three of us having some
dinner and I will do a live video chat with my my family so that I
can
still be a part of it in some way. And so that I can still be with
them on some in some way. And Islam teachers never cut the ties
of family. So if this is how I'm going to create strong bonds with
them, then I'm going to do that. And for those of you who are
wondering what to do, if you are still close with your family, I
suggest you go and visit them at least even if you are not
comfortable with the whole Merry Christmas or giving gifts, at
least go and sit with them on the day so that they can still see
that you want to be a part of them. It's very important to keep
those family ties, you don't have to participate and you shouldn't
participate in any of the religious meaning, but at least a
family get together. This is okay. As far as if you're away from your
family, you've been pushed away from your family and you're facing
it alone. Again, I would suggest you surround yourself with your
Muslim friends or maybe you treat yourself to a few days away
anything not to be alone at this time because it can be very, very
hard. Anyway, I hope those tips have been helpful. And I will I
will see you all soon as salaam aleikum wa rahmatullah wa
barakato.