This tale by Said Rezek is a story of one hyper-tolerant Muslim and his family that are meant to reassure us:
As a Muslim I like to go to Christmas markets, eat Stollen and as a child I even got presents. Surprised? That’s not the half of it.
Muslims shy away from Christmas markets as the devil shies away from holy water, so the common prejudice. Some even think that Muslims in Germany would like to rename Christmas markets winter markets or even ban them. Apart from the fact that I don’t know any Muslims who have ever made such a demand, it would make me very sad.
Notice Rezek’s language. It is the “common prejudice” of non-Muslims that Muslims shy away from Christmas markets. Why not call it simply a “belief,” instead of denigrating it as a “prejudice”? And “some even think” that Muslims would like to rename “Christmas Markets” as “winter markets”? Said Rezek can’t for the life of him figure out why anyone would think that. Many Europeans have, however, apparently concluded that Muslims do object to the very name “Christmas Market,” and, so as not to offend them, have chosen to rename these as “Winter Markets.” In Belgium alone, the Christmas Markets have become “Winter Markets” or “Winter Lands” or “Winter Fun” in Brugge, Brussels, Antwerp, Ghent, and Hasselt. Why would they have done that, if no Muslims are offended the name “Christmas Market”?
Every year I walk through the stalls in the different cities, be it Essen, Cologne, Aachen or Munster. My wife is often on the lookout for decorations and handicrafts, while I take a closer look at the tea assortment. As Muslims, of course, we donʹt indulge in mulled wine, but we both especially like the beautiful lighting, the deliciously aromatic smells and the uniquely festive mood you encounter at Christmas markets.
Stressing his interfaithfulness, with tidings of comfort and joy, Said Reek describes the delight he and his wife — a Muslim couple, forsooth! — take in the gemütlichkeit of Christmas markets in Germany, the decorations and handicrafts she favors, and the holiday teas he fancies, and the lights, the enticing smells, the festive mood — and we are obliquely being asked to believe that, as Muslim lovers of Christmas markets, the Rezeks are hardly alone.
Being a recognisable Muslim, however, not everything is great at the Christmas markets. My wife wears a headscarf and sometimes we get quite unpleasant looks. We can only guess what is going on in the minds of these people. You may be surprised to see Muslims strolling between the stalls. Yet we have many Muslim friends and acquaintances who like to go to Christmas markets.
As always, it’s the non-Muslims who are to blame — why in the world do some at the Christmas Markets give the Rezeks those “quite unpleasant looks”? Might it have something to do with the headscarf his wife wears, that some people take as a sign that the wearer is more than a “cultural” Muslim, possibly a little too devout for their tastes?
And Said Rezek should be able to guess what is in the minds of those people giving those “unpleasant looks.” It’s not hard to fathom. They’re thinking of Muslims who’ve murdered Unbelievers in London, Manchester, Madrid, Barcelona, Paris, Nice, Toulouse, Magnanvile, Brussels, Amsterdam, The Hague, Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, Copenhagen, Oslo, Stockholm, Malmö, Turku, Helsinki, St.Petersburg, Moscow, Beslan. They’re thinking of the attack on Charlie Hebdo, of the killers of Drummer Lee Rigby, of those who brought down the Twin Towers, the Christians and Yazidis murdered, the attacks on churches in Egypt and Pakistan. They’re thinking of the grooming gangs in the U.K. They’re remembering the 1,200 German women and girls attacked by 2,000 Muslim men in Cologne on New Year’s Eve 2015. They’re thinking of the Islamic State, Al-Qaeda, Al-Shebaab, Boko Haram, Jabhat Al-Nusra, Hamas, Islamic Jihad, Hezbollah. Isn’t that more than enough to explain those “quite unpleasant looks”?
My first Christmas memories date back to my childhood. My parents, who are also practicing Muslims, gave Christmas presents to me and my siblings. They knew about the customs in Germany and did not want us to feel disadvantaged when surrounded by our Christian classmates. In fact, the opposite was the case, because in the end we also received presents at the Muslim festivals of Eid ul-Fitr and Eid ul-Adha.
Said Rezek’s family sounds as if it consists of just possibly the most tolerant Muslims in the whole wide world. His Muslim parents gave their Muslim children Christmas presents. They had a Christmas tree. They wanted their family to fit in with Christian families. They wanted their children to fit in with their classmates. They let him act in a nativity play. That’s pretty much the story, Rezek implies, of so many Muslims in Europe. He claims that “many Muslim friends and acquaintances…. like to go to Christmas markets.” What’s all this splother about Muslims refusing to integrate? Islamophobes! Just look at my family — that’s seven people right there. Christmas trees, Christmas presents, Christmas carols — the whole works!
I have vague recollections of taking part in the nativity play in primary school. I can clearly remember though how proud of me my parents were. The performance took place in a church and they sat in the front row.
And so tolerant are his parents that they were not just accepting, but even “proud” when Said took part in a nativity play, performed in a church, to boot.
But we must ask: how many other Muslims are like the Rezeks?
A tradition that is very much alive: “O Tannenbaum” and “Kling, Gloeckchen,” not to mention “Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht”. Even though I do not associate any religious feelings with the texts, they conveyed a sense of security to me as a child. In my opinion, these carols are part of the general knowledge that everyone should master, regardless of whether they are Christian or not
We also sang various Christmas carols in primary, some of which I can still recite today: “O Tannenbaum” and “Kling, Gloeckchen”, not to mention “Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht”. Even though I do not associate any religious feelings with the texts, they conveyed a sense of security to me as a child. In my opinion, these carols are part of the general knowledge that everyone should master, regardless of whether they are Christian or not.
Mr. Rezek is certainly a spectacularly tolerant Muslim. He likes Christmas carols. He can still sing many of them, which he cherishes, but does not “associate any religious feelings with the texts.” He claims that “everyone” — not just Christians — should master these carols, as part of “general knowledge.” How many Muslims would agree? Mr. Rezek would like us to believe that he speaks for many. I’ve never come across any Muslims, in 17 years of searching online and offline, who share Rezek’s regard for carols, Christmas trees, Christmas presents. He — and his family — represent only themselves. This is what is called anecdotal evidence.
What many non-Muslims don’t know: Jesus’ birth is described in detail in the Koran. The main difference between Christians and Muslims is that Jesus is a prophet in Islam – and not the Son of God, as it is written in the Bible.
What Mr. Rezek should have written is that “the main difference between the Christian and Muslim conceptions of Jesus is that for Muslims, Jesus is not the Son of God but a prophet.” And in regarding Jesus as divine, Christians are guilty of shirk, or polytheism, in Islam one of the worst sins. Mr. Rezek did not care to share that knowledge. I’m not surprised.
Georg says
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAhxYXrHrSE
Tjhawk says
That doesn’t resemble propaganda at ALL!! Sarc.off
Mark Spahn (West Seneca, NY) says
“Never judge people by their appearance”?
So Jesse Jackson was wrong?
“There is nothing more painful to me at this stage in my life than to walk down the street and hear footsteps… then turn around and see somebody white and feel relieved.”
― Jesse Jackson
mgoldberg says
Quite gratifying to hear such normal cultural acceptance and appreciation from this muslim writer.
However…. there is no apology, no sense of the horror that has been implanted in non muslims by muslims over 1400 yrs and yes…. everyday now, for the Jihad hatred and assaults, mass murderings, and hatreds of Islam as expressed by Jihadists worldwide.
That should have brought some statement of apology by that writer, for all the revulsion he sensed which was very much the result of the utter contempt Islam and muslim nations have shown against all others.
mortimer says
THIS FEEL-GOOD ARTICLE WILL NOT STOP THE MULLAHS FROM FORBIDDING MUSLIMS TO PARTICIPATE IN CHRISTMAS … they may even do it more so!
Someone should write an article in the German paper about the PACT OF OMAR.
This RESTRICTION of Christian practice says Christians should 1) not ring bells in their churches 2) should not display their faith in public.
When will Western people learn that Islam is NOT TOLERANT of Christianity???
How long will this ignorance of Sharia law continue?
Westman says
In the words of Charles Dickens:
“A merry Christmas to us all, my dears! God bless us!” Which all the family re-echoed.
“God bless us every one !” said Tiny Tim, the last of all.
beyondculturewars says
King of King and Lord of Lords…..And He shall reign forever…….Amen
Sam says
Why do “moderate” muslims suffer so much in infidel countries instead of living in wonderful muslim cultures like Saudi Arabia or Iran or Pakistan.
I am sick of Islam and muslims
Renate says
I’m sick of them too.
Ernie says
I’m sick of Islam and muslims too .
FYI says
“As a child I even got presents.surprised?”
Not as surprised as I was to discover this in allah’s “perfect” koran…islam’s version of the Christmas story.
“Then they pointed to Him:They said :how can we talk to one who is in the cradle,an infant boy”koran 19 v 29
How indeed does one talk to a NEWBORN INFANT IN A CRIB?
Well,don’t worry because..
“He spake.Lo! I am the slave of allah.he hath given me the scripture and hath appointed me a prophet”
koran koran 19 v 30[Maryam}
“He spake”.
Lo?LOL!
Of course “He spake”:this is allah’s koran.And this version of Jesus is of course different to the Gospel version as Jesus is of course a muslim,Arabic speaking baby who has “the scripture” and knows what a prophet is.
A TALKING BABY JESUS IN A CRIB WHO TALKS LIKE AN ADULT.
What next?Talking ants and a flying winged horse?
“O Ants!Enter your dwellings lest solomon and his armies {of Jinn and humans}crush you,unperceiving” koran 27:18
An ant who knows the word “unperceiving” in allah’s perfect book?
“As muslims we don’t indulge in mulled wine”:that’s because muslims are offered something better by muhammed himself Sahih Bukhari 8:82:794:Drink ye!
Grizzly says
How very tolerant & multi-cultural. Now if only the Islamic Canon were so!?
Growing up in Canada & parts of the United States we often came across people of various religious traditions throughout the 1960’s & 70’s who also got into the Christmas Spirit. We knew Jews, Hindus, Atheists, Buddhists, Animists…. well, you get the idea…. who loved Christmas as much as any Christian. Peace on Earth! Goodwill toward Men! Who could possibly object?! A friend of mine in high school was Jewish, the only Jewish family in town, & her family always had a splendid Christmas tree & enjoyed Christmas as much as anyone!
Peace on Earth! Goodwill toward Men! Well… why not?!
But as the years have gone on, ONLY the followers of the Religion of Peace object! Too often violently.
Well… why? Read the Islamic Canon & find out. It is SO very hateful, & I despise it.
Even so, I say to you all, even to the followers of the Religion of Peace… Merry Christmas! Peace on Earth! Good will toward Men! By “Men” is meant every human being!
And now I’m off to enjoy Christmas with my own family & extended family!
somehistory says
In reading this, I recall that m. atta….the main creepy creature who flew the plane into the WTC on 9/11, went to bars, drank, smoke, watched television…all to appear “normal” among those who did those things.
Had the attacks occurred in December, perhaps those killers would have gone Christmas shopping and carried wrapped packages about with them…all to show they were just like everyone else…and not a danger to anyone…while planning and scheming to commit terror at the first opportunity.
moslims such as this creepy creature are just doing their part to further islam, trying to bring the goal of world domination ever closer. His brothers and sisters the world over are planning and scheming…and lying like the cheap rugs they use to prey.
His article is vomit-worthy. Walking among the booths and stands…”strolling between the stalls”…should be written “scoping out the territory” as they may just be planning an attack upon these people who happen to be aware of what moslims are up to….but not allowed to complain about it.
It also reminds of the “festival” in Dearborn when the moslim mob attacked the Christians who attended. moslims insist on being welcomed everywhere, while they violently discriminate against others.
thebigW says
“Walking among the booths and stands…”strolling between the stalls”…should be written “scoping out the territory” as they may just be planning an attack upon these people who happen to be aware of what moslims are up to….but not allowed to complain about it.”
Good points somehistory. I’d say this Said Reek character isn’t so much scoping out potential attack sites as he is making sure to plant the seeds for attacks in the distant future that thanks to our general stupidity will be able to bring us and our “misderable House of shirk” down once and for all.
somehistory says
Most likely. and he and his wife were actually terrorizing the stall workers and the other people who were shopping. They could not know if these moslims were going to suddenly began shooting, or stabbing or setting off a bomb.
To make sure they are seen by as many non moslims as possible….putting fear in the minds of those who were there to sell or to buy for their celebration. And laughing about it…which is what this article is all about. One can hear and see his smirk in every word.
KWJ says
I don’t think that’s the case there. There are Muslims in countries where Christians put up their trees in public, etc. though a year ago Brunei, that went Shari’a in 2014, threatened Muslims with a $5000 fine and a year in jail if they celebrated Xmas. They’d do out to enjoy the lights.
In Lebanon they put the Xmas trees up in the square along with some Islamic symbols. Some Iranians have a habit of celebrating un-Islamic holidays such as Valentine’s Day, after all, Cyrus the Great had a “Love Day.” So people sell roses.
I think the issue is, why such articles? There was one in the New York Times too like this from a Muslim in Long Island who also talked about being made fun of as a kid. No Hindus writing about Xmas? Jews?
I encountered Muslims on Xmas Day last year who didn’t say Merry Christmas, but some do. Some young Muslim girl wrote Merry Christmas on YT and then some young Muslim guy told her she shouldn’t say it because of shirk and because of Christians’ idea of Jesus. He must listen to the imams.
lebel says
“How many Muslims would agree? Mr. Rezek would like us to believe that he speaks for many. I’ve never come across any Muslims, in 17 years of searching online and offline, who share Rezek’s regard for carols, Christmas trees, Christmas presents. He — and his family — represent only themselves. This is what is called anecdotal evidence.”
Firstly, hard to believe that you did much searching: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/nov/29/cancel-christmas-muslims-traditions-islamic
https://www.joe.co.uk/life/what-muslims-really-think-of-christmas-and-the-festive-period-104153
(time taken 1 minute on google)
Second, your evidence or lack thereof is just as anecdotal.
Third, why are Muslims required to be more Christian than Christians themselves to satisfy your criteria for acceptable Muslims (which we know for you means ex-Muslim)? do you mind that jews don’t celebrate Christmas? of course not.
Finally, there is always taqqiya, as we can see from the comments and your own analysis. If a Muslim is tolerant then he is lying for Islam and is in fact a jihadi.
Muslims are screwed either way, it does not matter what they say or do.
thebigW says
your link leads to a 404 “Sorry – the page you have requested does not exist
You may have followed an outdated link, or have mistyped a URL. If you believe this to be an error, please report it.”
Ernie says
Yes , Lebel , Muslims are screwed . Why ? Because they screw non muslims ( and each other ) perpetually in accordance with the commandments and recommendations given in the qur’an , the hadith , the sira . If you think otherwise , you’re screwing yourself , and I wish you good luck with that .
Mirren10 says
” … do you mind that jews don’t celebrate Christmas? of course not.”
Hmm, why would that be ? Oh, I know ! Because Jews (*I* capitalise) aren’t intent on spreading Judaism through violent jihad, or stealth jihad, until ‘all the world is for Jehovah’, neither do they attack Christmas Markets and murder those attending them.
As for your Guardian link, and the Joe link; how nice, (if true) that *some* muslims don’t object to us in **our own countries** celebrating Christmas, and some of them even (gasp !) like Christmas food etc, etc. Jolly nice of them ! And sooo tolerant, I’m truly ‘grateful’. Actually, no, I’m not.
None of the above obviates the fact that there are a hell of a lot *more* mohammedans who object to Christmas, and Christianity, (and any other religion that rejects the baleful mohammed) and who want to murder us. Strasbourg anyone ?
Mirren10 says
mohammedans are still a minority in the West. So it behoves *some* of them to embrace *some* aspects of Christmas. If they ever gain the hegemony they want, I don’t think there will be any of them prattling about hoe they ‘just luurve Christmas.’
Mirren10 says
https://www.jihadwatch.org/2018/12/barcelona-police-warn-of-muslim-plotting-jihad-massacre-on-christmas-day-city-on-high-alert
Mirren10 says
https://www.jihadwatch.org/2018/12/pakistan-muslims-arrested-after-shootout-planned-jihad-massacre-at-christmas-celebrations
Mirren10 says
https://www.jihadwatch.org/2018/12/islamic-state-we-remind-muslims-in-the-lands-of-disbelievers-to-take-advantage-of-the-coming-days
And that’s just the tip of the iceberg, lebel.
lebel says
Right, as I have said above :
“Finally, there is always taqqiya, as we can see from the comments and your own analysis. If a Muslim is tolerant then he is lying for Islam and is in fact a jihadi.”
So if they don’t like Christmas it’s because they’re evil Muslims and if they do its’ because they’re evil Muslims. You are always right in the end no matter what they do.
Mirren10 says
As always, lebel, your response to comments ignores the points that have been made, and simply bulldozes on with your apologia for islam and mohammedans. Very islamic.
Mirren10 says
In any case, no-one would care whether mohammedans celebrate Christmas, or ‘like’ Christmas, or ‘like’ Christmas food, or disliked and ignored the whole season, any more than we would care whether any other religion did so, if it wasn’t for the fact that millions of mohammedans hate anything that is not islamic, and commit *murders and persecutions* in pursuit of their ambition; ”all the world for allah”.
Do you get this ? No, of course you don’t.
Ernie says
Lebel , you’re screwing yourself big time . And that’s fine with me ; but DON’T TRY TO SCREW ME !
Dara says
…and how badly was Mr. Rezek and his family ostracized and bullied by his fellow Muslims for embracing Christmas? Immigrant communities have a thing for policing their own. From what I’ve seen, Muslim communities are big on peer pressure. Don’t they go so far as to murder the ones who embrace Western values?
thebigW says
“In Belgium alone, the Christmas Markets have become “Winter Markets” or “Winter Lands” or “Winter Fun” in Brugge, Brussels, Antwerp, Ghent, and Hasselt. Why would they have done that, if no Muslims are offended the name “Christmas Market”?”
We’ve had the same thing going on in America for frickin DECADES and it ain’t because of Muslims but because of people who don’t like Christianity in the public square, brave people afraid of little mangers and little baby Jesus on “government property”. Lemme guess, these people aren’t “right wingers” lol
somehistory says
Using a falsehood about the Constitution and its rule about the government not “establishing” a religion and purposely denying the part about the “free expression thereof.”
Guy Jones says
One photo op of an allegedly “tolerant” Muslim is supposed to atone for, and, ameliorate, 1,400 years of Muslim persecution, atrocities, genocides and conquests committed against Christians, which crimes are continuing into the present era?
In what sort of fantasy world do these Leftist idiots live in?
Crusades Were Right says
I live in a part of Europe where I see visible Muslims (e.g. women with Islamic headcoverings) in the streets all the time; EXCEPT during Christmas celebrations!
Beneath the Veil of Consciousness says
He’s just another weapon of mass distraction. Please keep your eyes on the ball and never forget what we’re dealing with. “The price of freedom is eternal vigilance.”
Davy Crokett says
Strange but where Muslims are a minority the culture they come into invariably starts to Islamify from Halal meat in schools to having to provide all sorts of things to appease the Muslims among us prayer rooms in work time off during Ramadan moving cribs at Christmas out of public view so as not to offend our society is been changed year on year and it’s to suit their way of life which is all based around sharia law caliphates slowly beginning to grow all around us no go areas for police or non Muslims, if this is all for the better for indigenous people I’d like to strongly disagree…
KWJ says
A bit of a thud at the end. This non-Muslim knows Iesa’s (fake Jesus) birth is described in the Qur’an, yet he doesn’t have the honesty to say, “…though it’s not the same as in the Bible.” I suppose if he was in a nativity play he would know that Jesus wasn’t born under a date palm tree and Jesus wasn’t a talking newborn proclaiming that he was a slave of Allah.
Now other Muslims will consider him an apostate or undermining Islam aka munafiqun.
Prejudice wasn’t the right word to use; it’s more like preconception or misconception but I guess he wanted to use a persecution sounding word. I’m sure I’d get weird or disgusted looks from Muslims if I showed up to their holidays not wearing a hijab or something.
I’m sure there are Muslims who like the Christian Jesus story better and the pagan trees, lights, presents, carols, Santa, little baby Jesus in the manger and the Three Wise Men (magi) bringing gifts of incense and myrrh. It’s simply more fun. Islam isn’t much fun. Their kids get to watch animals sacrificed and suffer by having their necks slit and bled to death on the Feast of Sacrifice and gorge after fasting. Not as pleasant as Santa and elves.
It’s kind of sad, actually. Inclusivity is: Muslims are welcome to join in any Christmas festivities, New Year’s and Easter egg hunts, painting eggs and chocolate bunnies or attending Easter services. If I go to Iran I’ll celebrate Nowruz and Yalda Night. (The latter is in December.)