The following letter was published by Ottawa Citizen, on Dec 20th, 2023.
Re: Forget ‘Happy Holidays’ – I’m sticking with ‘Merry Christmas,‘ Dec. 18.
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I read Dyan Cross’s column and as as Muslim I fully endorse the message. Everyone should be free to celebrate those religious holidays that are important to them. In the name of inclusivity, we cannot erase or try to hide the unique and diverse parts of our heritage.
In the Holy Qur’an, it states “O mankind, We have created you from a male and a female; and We have made you into tribes and subtribes that you may know one another.” (49:14). In a pluralistic society, we should not feel offended when others do not share the same beliefs.
I, for one, would feel offended if there were only homogeneity. I hope my Christian (and other religious) friends don’t have to shy away from their beliefs.
Sinwan Basharat, Ottawa
