Christmas tree on the beach of the Persian Gulf
Empty fun and dark paganism – that is what, in the understanding of a devout Muslim, round dances around a decorated Christmas tree are. But many in Muslim countries still celebrate New Year's Eve, writes journalist, communications specialist, and traveler Maria Sashinskaya, who runs her blog "Arabian Notes" on BBC.
We were flying to Saudi Arabia. The host side warned that pork, alcohol, and pornographic products could not be brought in. Western fashion magazines and liqueur-filled candies also fell under these requirements. It was just before New Year, so we were also advised to leave any Christmas-related paraphernalia at home.
Muslims are not supposed to celebrate Christmas and New Year, which are familiar to Westerners. Empty fun and dark paganism – that is what, in the understanding of the devout, round dances around a decorated Christmas tree are. Belief in the existence of Father Frost, Santa Claus, and other similar characters (as well as attempts to convince one's children of this) is a very dubious matter. Gifts are generally unnecessary extravagance. Gluttony on jellied meat and the clinking of filled glasses is haram. A great sin, in short.
But these are all strict requirements, and not all Muslims and not all Muslim countries deny themselves New Year's Eve. Even if it passes without large feasts and toasts, New Year's Eve still remains special.
For example, in 2014, the New Year's fireworks in Dubai entered the Guinness Book of Records. They became the most massive in the world, leaving far behind the previous record holder – another Muslim state, Kuwait.
By the way, for the sake of fairness, it is worth recalling that in the Orthodox tradition there are also great restrictions on winter celebrations. The Nativity Fast always falls during the New Year period, so formally many of us also have a reason to postpone fun and treats until January 7.
In Islam, all holidays are directed towards Allah. In fact, there are only two main ones – Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, the festivals of breaking the fast and sacrifice, more familiar to us as Uraza Bayram and Kurban Bayram. Other holidays popular in the West, according to Muslims, came from paganism or Christianity, so they are considered imitation of non-Muslims, which is not at all welcomed by the religion.
Thus, on Valentine's Day, in Saudi Arabia, for example, flower shops are prohibited from selling red roses and heart-shaped souvenirs, although on any other day of the year all this is freely available. But in the Arab Emirates or Oman, for example, there are no such bans, and even on Halloween, in an ordinary supermarket you can find a variety of themed masks and costumes.
Honestly, having lived several years in Arab countries, I have gotten used to many things, but there is one day that always puts me a bit at a loss – someone's birthday. On one hand, birthdays are not customary to celebrate in Muslim tradition. This is again perceived as imitation of non-Muslims. On the other hand, the birth of a person is a mercy of the Almighty, and rejoicing in it is not a sin. So every time I am invited to someone's birthday, I find myself at a loss. You never know how it will all look.
It often happens that the birthday person arranges something and treats guests, but at the same time seems not to celebrate and does not accept gifts, because unnecessary extravagance is not encouraged by religion.
And yet, there is also a Muslim New Year. It is the same first day of a new month, but with a floating date, because the calendar in Arab countries is based on the lunar calendar and is counted not from the birth of Christ, but from the moment of the Hijra, i.e., the migration of Muhammad from Mecca to Medina (this happened 622 years after the birth of Christ).
Thus, in our familiar 2016, the new Muslim year began not on January 1, but on October 3. And now officially we all live here in the 15th century, or more precisely in the year 1437 AH.
With such a system, it is obvious that celebrating the Western New Year as a transition from one calendar year to another is simply a pointless activity for Muslims. Therefore, if your Muslim friends and colleagues do not congratulate you on New Year, Christmas, a birthday, or any other event significant to you – do not be offended. Perhaps it is nothing personal, just adherence to other customs.