Modern, moderate Indonesia's top Muslim clerical body: Don't wish Christians "Merry Christmas," don't attend Christmas parties

Feel the love and tolerance.

"Avoid wishing ‘Merry Xmas,’ insist Indonesian conservative Muslims," from al Arabiya, December 20 (thanks to all who sent this in):

If the world is ready for Christmas with just five days to go before the 25th, Indonesia is yet to decide if they will be a part of the celebration.
Until now, Islamic conservatives are indecisive over whether or not celebrating Christmas the country is “Haram” or “Halal” (whether it’s prohibited or permitted by Islam), reported an Indonesian news site.

Even al Arabiya labels pro-Sharia Islamic supremacists "conservatives," and pro-freedom opponents of Sharia "conservatives."

Indonesia's top Muslim clerical body said on Wednesday that it is best for Muslims to avoid saying greetings such as “Merry Christmas” to others.
“It’s better if they don’t say ‘Merry Christmas,’” said Council Chairman Ma’ruf Amin who was quoted as saying by Jakarta Globe, “It’s still up for debate whether it’s halal or haram, so better steer clear of it. But you can say ‘Happy New Year. ”

According to the council, it is Haram for Muslims to attend Christmas parties or celebrations.

“The MUI has issued an edict forbidding Muslims from attending such rituals, because they are religious in nature. It would be haram for any Muslims to take part,” Ma’ruf was quoted as saying.

The Christian holiday has always been part of the yearly December discussions tackled by conservative groups and clerics in Indonesia.

Din Syamsuddin of Muhammadiyah, one of the country’s biggest Islamic organizations, has previously commented that he greets his friends a Merry Christmas and said that it’s just a simple greeting, however he would still advise fellow Muslims to not say “Merry Christmas” but should respect the rights of Christians from all over the world to celebrate it.

“If it’s just a matter of the greeting, that’s not forbidden,” he was quoted as saying, adding that “We hope that all Muslims will respect the celebration of Christmas and help to keep peace [at churches] during the occasion,” he said....

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14 Comments

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Jan | December 21, 2012 1:56 PM | Reply

More than OK by me. The **last** thing I want is some ghastly mohammedan wishing me a Merry Christmas.

duh_swami | December 21, 2012 2:16 PM | Reply

'I want to wish you a Merry Christmas, I want to wish a Merry Christmas, I want wish you a Merry Christmas, from the bottom of my heart'...

I'm sorry if that offends you Allah, but in the words of the immortal Clark Gable...'Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn'...

salah | December 21, 2012 3:03 PM | Reply

“It’s better if they don’t say ‘Merry Christmas,’... But you can say ‘Happy New Year'. ”

What's the difference? the New Year is nothing else than the 2012th anniversary of the birth of Christ...more or less.
One way or another, he will commemorate this Event.

It is written: "'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.'" Romans 14:11

SpeakUpForThem | December 21, 2012 3:16 PM | Reply

ok ok. now we'll all go around saying: "happy beheading! happy beheading!" are you happy now?

how would it be if they started with these guy's heads? never mind. "just saying".

"as rational as evil gets"....just heard on radio in a tone of voice like there is not much hope for evil to be rational. quote: ryan......radical islam.org

"Merry CHRISTmas" Everyone!!!!!!!!!! "Happy Hannakuh" (you know i can't spell.so embarrassed.) "Happy Hannakuh" to everyone who celebrates that.....and all Moslems and everyone ....go before GOD who created heaven and earth and ask Him to teach you the truth!

Happy New Year....get your parachute on for going over the clif. the pied piper in the white house is mad. he is playing his flute....

SpeakUpForThem | December 21, 2012 3:28 PM | Reply

what is the difference if the moslems put the kibash on "merry CHRISTmas" or if the USA athiests and and the false "separation-of- church-and-state" lunatics do the SAME THING?

SpeakUpForThem | December 21, 2012 3:32 PM | Reply

what is the difference if the moslems put the kibash on "merry CHRISTmas" or if the USA athiests and and the false "separation-of- church-and-state" lunatics do the SAME THING?

duh_swami replied to comment from SpeakUpForThem | December 21, 2012 4:12 PM | Reply

The Mahoundians do it for religious supremacist reasons, while atheists and the others do it because of huge ego trips, and delusions about their own self importance...

LemonLime | December 21, 2012 5:15 PM | Reply

"Avoid wishing ‘Merry Xmas,’ insist Indonesian conservative Muslims," from al Arabiya, December 20...

There's that annoying, unnecessary qualifier yet again in a news report for the umpteenth time. That, along with all the other qualifiers by which the mainstream (and sly Muslim apologists) keeps the danger of Islam at bay -- "extremist", "radicalized", "Salafi", "Wahhabi", "traditionalist" (and, for good measure, there's always the "ultra-" prefix just to make sure we get the message of being hit over the head) -- amount to too many dried fruits & nuts in the PC MC concoction; as useless, and as ubiquitous, as the holiday fruitcake.

ssa | December 21, 2012 6:52 PM | Reply

Christians in Indonesia won't care to hear "Merry Christmas" from a Muslim. The celebrate at any rate. See the excitement; the needled point to 12 o'clock, Silent Bright Night
http://www.theunderbunch.com/wp-content/images/indonesians.jpg

https://me.yahoo.com/a/RUQ8U0d0msc6_iXHXMyuYukL4bVLJH84zPYQ#d58d0 | December 21, 2012 8:57 PM | Reply

http://www.smh.com.au/travel/travel-news/tourism-fears-for-bali-over-partys-push-to-ban-alcohol-in-indonesia-20121220-2bpcb.html

Muslims in Indonesia want to ban alcohol too.

David Dowse | December 21, 2012 11:34 PM | Reply

Kafir Dude: "Merry Christmas, Muslim Dude!"

Muslim Dude: "Don't say that to me."

Kafir Dude: "Why not, Muslim Dude?"

Muslim Dude: "Because I am Muslim."

Kafir Dude: "Well f**k you then, Muslim Boy."

PJG replied to comment from Jan | December 22, 2012 2:04 AM | Reply

But I will maybe never forget walking towards the Souk Aribi mosque in Khartoum this time last year after hearing shouting from loudspeakers.
"What ghastly things are they saying?" I wondered. (I had heard what they said...)
The sight was amazing; men streaming out all in white from the sand-coloured mosque.
But one man said quietly to me as he walked past,"Merry Christmas, madam."
I know there are many apostates there, some bold, some secret.
I really hope that man was on his way OUT of Islam. If so, I know where he will go; it happens.
If a Muslim says "Merry Christmas" to me, I will remember that time, and smile.
There is hope.

https://me.yahoo.com/a/oWQJtIxthPDZRJOCBNo9jlkIPy5t#949dd | December 22, 2012 2:09 AM | Reply

How about "Happy Holidays"? Many people in the West already do that.

And "don't attend to ANY parties" would be more economic ban under an islamic society.

Stuart Parsons | December 22, 2012 12:27 PM | Reply

The Angel Gabriel has visited me with a message from Allah.

Allah wishes all His admirers at Jihadwatch a happy Christmad and a prosperous new year, including all the peoples of the Book.

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