Is It Haram To Celebrate Thanksgiving? Top 73 Best Answers

As families across Long Island gather this Thursday for a turkey (or tofurky) dinner with all the traditional or vegan ingredients, many will pause to offer a prayer or other form of thanks before stepping in bury the annual festival. This week’s ministers discuss why God deserves a seat at the Thanksgiving table.

Rev. William F. Brisotti

Pastor, Our Lady of Miraculous Medal, Roman Catholic Church, Wyandanch

Thanksgiving Day is rooted in both our nation’s religious and secular traditions. It is good to learn the full meaning of this holiday, why and how it came about and how it can strengthen families, civil society and faith communities.

Humble gratitude is the source of a well-grounded human life, appreciating the rich gift of God’s creation shared in political liberty with all fellow human beings. A grateful attitude can lead us beyond our respective faith communities to a deeper understanding of religion as a means of discovering true wisdom and thus communion with nature and people of all faiths, with our moment in history, and with the one transcendent God who is common known by many names and from many perspectives.

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The Trappist monk Thomas Merton, in his collection of meditations entitled Thoughts in Solitude (Farrar, Straus and Giroux), wrote of gratitude as recognizing the love of God in everything, in every breath, in every moment of existence, and that gratitude is the heart of religious life.

Rabbi Mendy Goldberg

Lubavitch of the East End

Thanksgiving is a day of thanking God for all we have and all He continues to do for us.

Although there is no doubt that the historical success and prosperity of this great country is attributed to the Founding Fathers, they recognized that there is a Supreme Being who provides for and cares for every creature. They realized that God sustains every being and gives it life, the inalienable rights over which no government can interfere.

A core belief in Judaism is that we must always be thankful for all we have, and that includes thanking God before we eat. Our daily prayers are full of thanks. Our gratitude to God cannot and should not remain in emotions, thoughts or even speeches, but must also move us to action, so there are many practices in Judaism that express exactly that.

Rev. Marjorie Nunes

Hicksville United Methodist Church

In Psalm 136:1 we read, “O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.” Psalm 136 is a liturgy of praise to the Lord as Creator and Provider. Thanking God is a Christian instruction.

Thanksgiving is definitely a religious holiday rooted in our country’s Christian tradition. While the secularism of today’s culture may have shifted the focus somewhat, let’s not forget the history and religious significance of this American holiday.

Actually, the first Thanksgiving celebration came from Virginia. On December 4, 1619, 38 English settlers arrived at Berkeley Plantation on the James River. The charter of the settlement required that the Day of Arrival should be celebrated with thanksgiving to Almighty God. Upon reaching the banks of the James River, the settlers knelt and gave thanks for their safe passage. So America’s first Thanksgiving was about prayer and thanksgiving to God.

In a new fatwa, the Islamic seminary Darul Uloom Deboand has said that Islam does not allow celebrating birthdays.

When asked by a woman, the country’s largest Islamic seminary noted that the tradition of celebrating birthdays was introduced by Jews and Christians, but Islam does not allow the practice.

The Darul Uloom Deoband has issued decrees in recent days declaring that working in banks and opting for an insurance policy are against the teachings of Islam, sparking debate.

The seminary also decreed that it is illegal under Sharia or Islamic law for a woman to work and for a family to accept a woman’s income.

The spokesman for the leading Islamic body Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind, Abdul Hameed Nomani, had claimed that fatwas should not be generalized and should be seen in the context in which they were issued.

“People have to read between the lines and not generalize about fatwas,” Nomani said.

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As the UK braces itself for a Christmas full of uncertainty, there is a community of ours that has found the festive season to be uneventful. For many Muslims, Christmas is like any normal day of the calendar year, but more a sign of a time of calm and deceleration when the rest of the country comes to a standstill.

I, like many other Muslims, spend much of the time leading up to this time answering different variations of the question, “What are you doing for Christmas?” Question. A question that is answered differently depending on mood and willingness to talk.

To avoid embarrassment and speed things up, I sometimes say it’s getting quiet, which is generally true in my case. Sometimes I’ll be honest and say I don’t celebrate, which comes with its own follow-up questions.

However, as a Muslim, I have my own festive celebrations throughout the year. Over three million Muslims in England gather to celebrate Eid-al-Fitr – to mark the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting, and Eid-al-Adha – to commemorate Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son to show his devotion to God.

There are parts of Christmas that I like – namely the lights, the festive spirit and of course the cheesy movies. But what I like most about Christmas Day is that it’s my only guaranteed rest day of the year, with email and other tasks locked away (at least for the following 48 hours).

Yet just like the diversity of people within the Muslim community, the way we spend Christmas Day reflects this. Some Muslims participate in Christmas celebrations, while others choose not to. Ultimately, how we spend the day is a personal choice. With that in mind, I spoke to six other Muslims about how they celebrate the festival.

Nusiba Taufik, 30, Liverpool, Doctor

(Nusiba Taufik)

“This Christmas I will work as I have pretty much done for the past six years. Colleagues celebrating Christmas often want to switch shifts with me and I’m happy to do that.

“It’s like any other day in the hospital – I work in OB/GYN so babies come whenever they want, but Christmas babies get Christmas baby hats. Some people may wear festive attire and we’ll have some holiday music in the background and food for the staff.

“Before I became a doctor, Christmas was just a normal day spent at home with my family – plus the odd Christmas movie or two.”

Aisha Rosalie, 24, London, Youtuber

(Aisha Rosalie)

“I converted to Islam two years ago, but my mother celebrates Christmas, so I will visit her that day. We usually watch the annual Hyde Park Christmas swim, cook and eat lots of food.

“We also like to do charity on the day, so in the past we’ve given out sandwiches and snacks to the homeless.

“We used to exchange gifts, but I don’t take part in that anymore. Although I don’t celebrate Christmas, I am happy to be with my mother and support her as much as I can on this day. I feel like I get a free pass for the things I didn’t enjoy anyway, like the materialistic side of everything.

“I prefer to replace gifts by making better decisions with my money and investing it where people really need it.”

Zahra Iqbal, 22, Manchester, Communications Officer

(Zahra Iqbal)

“Coming from a really big Pakistani family and everyone is everywhere, so sometimes Christmas is the only time in the last months of the year that we all get together. Unlike Eid, Christmas is a 100 percent guaranteed time when everyone in my family is off.

“It’s more about spending time together as a family, cozy over a delicious roast and a cup of tea. Pre-Covid probably around 30 of us got together that day.

“I think people think that because we’re Muslim, we don’t like Christmas movies or festive music, but it’s quite the opposite. Many of us were born here, participate in activities as children and are inculcated in the culture of Christmas. We just put our own spin on it.”

Sabah Ahmedi, 27, London, Imam

(Sabah Ahmedi)

“Islam teaches respect for the values ​​and culture of others. As Muslims we don’t celebrate Christmas, but as members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community we help people to attend services, participate in food drives and try to help and be a part of the joy for those who are celebrating alone.

“On a personal level, my in-laws are not Muslim, so I spend the day with them and share in their happiness as they celebrate Christmas. They gift my kids and we gift them and we also have halal roast dinner. It is important to me to be with them at this special time and they come and celebrate both Eids with us as well.”

Aisha Hassan, 33, Doncaster, Marketing Manager

(Aisha Hassan)

“I usually spend the day at home with my family and often watch Christmas movies. We’re just waiting for the next day when we can go out again to visit the shops for the Boxing Day sales.

“We’re staying in a hotel in Manchester this year – we felt like a change of scenery and the shops there are great too so we’re ready for the sales the next day.

“We also have some family friends who are Christians and often invite us to dinner and celebrations. As we are all Nigerians, dinner is usually a mix of traditional roast and Nigerian cuisine, so there is turkey alongside pepper soup and jollof rice.”

Farah Chowdhury, 28, London, Communications Manager

(Farah Chowdhury)

“We’re going to spend this Christmas pretty much the way we spend every Christmas. My mother is usually in charge of the kitchen, but Christmas is the only time I’m in charge.

“I’m making dinner for the family, which is our take on a Christmas dinner. We don’t have turkey, but we put an Asian twist on everything else, which means everything is spicy – spicy potatoes, spicy veggies, spicy rice and more. We’ll also watch some movies and maybe play a board game.

“Given the way my family’s work schedules are organized, we take advantage of everyone having Christmas Day off. It’s about being together and being able to rest at the same time.”

These interviews have been condensed for clarity.

relationship between Christianity and Islam

Christianity and Islam are the two largest religions in the world with 2.8 billion and 1.9 billion followers respectively.[1][2] Both religions are considered Abrahamic and monotheistic with origins in the Middle East.

Christianity developed from Second Temple Judaism in the 1st century AD. It is based on the life, teachings, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and those who follow it are called Christians.[3] Islam developed in the 7th century AD. Islam is based on the teachings of Muhammad as an expression of devotion to the will of God. Those who follow him are called Muslims, meaning “submission to God.”[4][5]

Muslims regard Christians as People of the Book and also regard them as kafirs (infidels) who commit shirk (polytheism) because of the Trinity, and thus claim that they must be dhimmis (religious taxpayers) under Sharia law. Christians similarly have a wide range of views on Islam. The majority of Christians consider Islam a false religion due to the fact that its followers reject the Trinity, the divinity of Christ and the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ.

Islam regards Jesus as the al-Masih (Arabic for Messiah) who was sent to lead the Banī Isrā’īl (Arabic for Children of Israel) with a new revelation: al-Injīl (Arabic for “the Gospel”). [6 ][7][8] Christianity also believes that Jesus is the Messiah prophesied in the Hebrew Scriptures. Far more central to the Christian faith, however, is that Jesus is God incarnate, specifically one of the hypostases of the triune God, God the Son. Belief in Jesus is a fundamental part of both Christian and Islamic theology.

Christianity and Islam have different scriptures. The holy text of Christianity is the Bible, while the holy text of Islam is the Koran. Muslims believe that al-Injīl was distorted or altered to form the Christian New Testament. In contrast, Christians do not have a clear understanding of the Qur’an, although most believe it to be a fabricated or apocryphal work. There are similarities in both texts, such as B. Accounts of the life and ministry of Jesus and the virgin birth of Jesus by Mary; However, some biblical and Qur’anic accounts of these events differ.

similarities and differences

The debate over whether Muslims and Christians worship the same God breeds a whole nest of philosophical confusion. The argument that “Yahweh” and “Allah” refer to the same entity, despite the different concepts of God involved, does not hold water. [citation needed] A bigger problem is that “x worship” is what analytic philosophers like Peter van Inwage, a leading professor of philosophy of religion, called an “intensional (as opposed to an extensional) context” in which the term “x” need not refer to anything (as in “Jason worships Zeus”). ). In an “intensional context” corresponding terms cannot be substituted without affecting the truth value of the statement. For example, although “Jupiter” refers to the same being as “Zeus,” Jason, a Greek, does not worship Jupiter and may not even be aware of the Roman deity. So it cannot be said that “Abdul”, a Muslim, worships Yahweh, even if Yahweh and Allah are synonymous names.[9][10]

writings

The Christian Bible consists of the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Old Testament was written over a period of two millennia before the birth of Christ. The New Testament was written in the decades after Christ’s death. Historically, Christians generally believed that the entire Bible was the divinely inspired Word of God. However, the rise of higher criticism during the Enlightenment has led to a diversity of views about the authority and inerrancy of the Bible in different denominations. Christians regard the Qur’an as a non-divine collection of texts.

The Bible (left) and the Koran (right)

The Qur’an dates from the early 7th century or decades later. Muslims believe it was gradually revealed to Muhammad over a period of approximately 23 years, beginning on December 22, 609,[11] when Muhammad was 40 years old, and ending in 632, the year of his death.[12][13] [14]. ] The Qur’an assumes familiarity with the main narratives told in the Jewish and Christian scriptures. It summarizes some, elaborates on others, and differs on others.[15][16][17] Muslims believe that Jesus was given the Injil (Greek gospel or gospel) by Allah and that portions of these teachings were lost or distorted (tahrif) to produce the Hebrew Bible and Christian New Testament. The majority of Muslims consider the Qur’an to be the only revealed book that has been protected by God from distortion or corruption[18] and has remained unchanged and unedited since the death of Muhammad, although scholars and early Islamic sources reject this traditionalist view.[19]

Jesus

Both Muslims and Christians believe that Jesus was born of Mary, a virgin.[20] Both also believe that Jesus is the Messiah.[20] However, they differ on other key issues related to Jesus. Christians believe that Jesus was the incarnate Son of God, divine and sinless. Islam teaches that Jesus was one of the most important prophets of God, but not the Son of God, not divine and not part of the Trinity. Rather, Muslims believe that the creation of Jesus was similar to the creation of Adam (Adem).

Christianity and Islam also differ in their fundamental views regarding the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. Christianity teaches that Jesus was condemned to death by the Sanhedrin and the Roman prefect Pontius Pilate, crucified, and resurrected after three days. Islam teaches that Jesus was a human prophet who, like the other prophets, tried to get his people to worship God, called tawhid. Muslims also believe that Jesus was condemned to be crucified and then miraculously saved from execution and ascended to heaven.[21] In Islam, instead of Jesus, his double was crucified.[22]

Both Christians and Muslims believe in the return of Jesus. Christianity does not specify where Jesus will return, while the hadith in Islam states that Jesus will return to a white minaret east of Damascus (believed to be the minaret of Isa in the Umayyad Mosque) and pray behind Mahdi.[23] Christians believe Jesus will return to kill the Antichrist and similarly Muslims believe Jesus will return to kill Dajjal. Many Christians believe that Jesus would then reign for 1,000 years, while Muslims believe that Jesus will reign for 40 years, marry, have children and be buried in the Green Dome.[23]

Mohammed

Muslims believe that Muhammad was a prophet who received revelations (Quran) from God through the angel Gabriel (Jibril),[24][25] gradually over a period of about 23 years beginning on December 22, 609,[26] when Muhammad was 40 and ended in the year 632, the year of his death.[27][13][14] Muslims consider the Qur’an to be the most important miracle of Muhammad, a proof of his prophethood[28] and the culmination of a series of divine messages that began with the messages revealed to Adam and ended with Muhammad. Muslims also believe that the reference to the Paraclete in the Bible is a prophecy of the coming of Muhammad.[29][30]

Muslims revere Muhammad as the embodiment of the perfect believer and take his deeds and sayings as models of ideal conduct. Unlike Jesus, who Christians believe was the Son of God, Muhammad was a mortal, albeit with exceptional qualities. Many Muslims today believe that it is wrong to represent Muhammad, but this was not always the case. At different times and places, devout Muslims represented Muhammad, although they never worshiped these images.[31]

During Muhammad’s lifetime, he had many interactions with Christians. One of the first Christians to meet Muhammad was Waraqah ibn Nawfal, a Christian priest from ancient Arabia. He was one of the first Hanifs to believe in the prophecy of Muhammad.[32] Muhammad also met the Najrani Christians and made peace with them.[33][34] One of the earliest recorded commentaries of a Christian reaction to Muhammad can be dated only a few years after Muhammad’s death. As stories about the Arab prophet spread throughout Christian Syria, when asked about the “prophet who appeared with the Saracens,” an old man replied, “He is false, for the prophets do not come armed with a sword.”[ 35]

God

In Christianity, the most common name of God is Yahweh. In Islam, the most common name of God is Allah, similar to Eloah in the Old Testament. The vast majority of the world’s Christians adhere to the doctrine of the Trinity, which states in creed formulations that God is three hypostases (the Father, the Son, and the Spirit) in one ousia (substance). In Islam, this concept is considered a denial of monotheism and thus a sin of shirk,[36] which is considered to be one of the cardinal sins of the ‘al-Kaba’ir’.[37][38] The Qur’an itself refers to the Trinity in Al-Ma’ida 5:73, where it says: “Those who say: ‘Allah is the third of three’ have certainly not believed.” And there is no god but one God. And if they do not desist from what they say, a painful punishment will surely fall on the unbelievers among them.”[39] Islam has the concept of tawhid, which is the concept of a single, indivisible God who has no partners.[ 40]

The Holy Spirit

Christians and Muslims have different views of the Holy Spirit. Most Christians believe that the Holy Spirit is God and the third member of the Trinity. In Islam, it is commonly believed that the Holy Spirit is the angel Gabriel. [citation needed] Most Christians believe that the Paraclete referred to in the Gospel of John and manifested on the day of Pentecost is the Holy Spirit.[41] [42] Most Muslims believe that the reference to the Paraclete is a prophecy of the coming of Muhammad.[43]

One of the key verses regarding the Paraclete is John 16:7:

“Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: It is advisable for you that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Comforter will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.”

salvation

The Catechism of the Catholic Church, the official doctrinal document of the Roman Catholic Church, has this to say about Muslims:

The relationship of the Church to the Muslims. “The plan of salvation also includes those who recognize the Creator, including first and foremost the Muslims, who profess the faith of Abraham and worship with us the one, merciful God, the judge of mankind on the last day.” Catechism of the Catholic Church[ 44]

Most Protestant theology emphasizes the need to believe in Jesus as Savior in order to be saved. Muslims can receive salvation in theologies related to universal atonement, but according to most Protestant theologies based on justification by faith, this will not be the case:

“The first and most important article is: Jesus Christ, our God and Lord, died for our sins and rose again for our justification (Romans 3:24-25). He alone is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29), and God laid upon Him all the guilt of us (Isaiah 53:6) All have sinned and are justified in vain, apart from their own works and merits, by His grace, through redemption, is in Christ Jesus, in His blood (Romans 3:23-25). This is necessary in order to believe. This cannot be otherwise acquired or captured by any work, law, or merit. Therefore it is clear and certain that this faith alone justifies us… Nothing of this article can be yielded or forsaken, even if heaven and earth and everything else fall (Mark 13:31).” Martin Luther[45]

The Qur’an specifically promises salvation to all those righteous Christians who were there before Muhammad’s arrival:

Please refer! Those who believe (in what has been revealed to you, Muhammad), and those who are Jews and Christians and Sabians – whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day and does what is right – their reward is certain with their Lord , and there shall be no fear upon them, nor shall they mourn. Quran, Sura 2 (Al-Baqara), Ayat 62[46]

The Qur’an also makes it clear that Christians will be closest in love to those who follow the Qur’an, and commends Christians for being humble and wise:

And you will find the closest of them in affection for those who believe themselves to be the ones who say, Behold! We are Christians. This is because among them are priests and monks and they are not proud. When they hear what was revealed to the Messengers, you see their eyes overflow with tears because they see the truth. They say: Our Lord, we believe. Include us among the witnesses.

How should we not believe in Allah and what has come down to us from the truth? And (how should we not) hope that our Lord will bring us in with righteous people?

Allah rewarded them for saying: Gardens under which rivers flow, where they will abide forever. This is the reward of the good. Qur’an, Sura 5 (Al-Ma’ida), Ayat 82-85[47]

Early and Medieval Christian Writers on Islam and Muhammad

John of Damascus

In 746, John of Damascus (sometimes St. John of Damascus) wrote The Fountain of Knowledge, the second part of which is entitled Heresies in Epitome: How They Began and Whence They Drawn their Origin.[48] In this work St. John refers extensively to the Qur’an and, in St. John’s opinion, to its failure to withstand even the most basic scrutiny. The work does not deal exclusively with the Ishmaelites (a name given to the Muslims since they claimed descent from Ishmael), but with the whole heresy. The source of knowledge points directly to several suras, often with apparent disbelief.

From that time until now, a false prophet named Muhammad has appeared in their midst. This man, after stumbled across the Old and New Testaments and also, it seems, after conversing with an Arian monk, developed his own heresy. Then, having wormed his way into the favor of the people through apparent piety, he announced that a certain book had been revealed to him from heaven. He had put some ridiculous compositions in this book of his and he gave it to them as an object of worship. … There are many other extraordinary and rather ridiculous things in this book which he boasts was sent down to him from God. But if we ask, “And who testifies that God gave him the book? And which of the prophets foretold that such a prophet would arise?’ – they are at a loss. And we note that Moses received the law on Mount Sinai when God appeared before the eyes of all the people in cloud, fire, darkness and storm. And we say that all the prophets of Moses foretold the coming of Christ and how Christ God (and the incarnate Son of God) would come and be crucified and die and rise again and how He would be the Judge of the world living and dead Then when we say, “How is it that this prophet of yours did not come in the same way, with others bearing witness to him? And how is it that God did not present the book you are referring to to this man in your presence, just as he gave Moses the law while the people looked on and the mountain smoked, so that you too might have assurance? ?’ – they answer that God does what pleases Him. ‘That,’ we say, ‘we know, but we ask how the book came to your prophet.’ Then they reply that the book came down to him while he was sleeping.[49]

Theophanes the Confessor

Theophanes the Confessor (died c. 822) wrote a series of chronicles (from AD 284 and 602-813)[50][51][52] based on those of the better known George Syncellus. Theophanes reports of Muhammad as follows:

At the beginning of his arrival, the misguided Jews thought he was the Messiah. …But when they saw him eating camel meat, they realized he wasn’t who they thought he was…those miserable men taught him illegal things directed against us Christians and stayed him.

Whenever he came to Palestine, he associated with Jews and Christians and asked them about certain biblical matters. He also suffered from epilepsy. When his wife found out about this, she was very sad because, as a noblewoman, she had married a man like him who was not only poor but also epileptic. He insidiously tried to placate her by saying, ‘I keep seeing a vision of a certain angel named Gabriel, and since I cannot bear to look at him, I faint and fall.’

Nicetas

In the work A History of Christian-Muslim Relations[53] Hugh Goddard mentions both John of Damascus and Theophanes and goes on to consider the relevance of Nicetas [clarification needed] of Byzantium, who replied to letters on behalf of Emperor Michael III formulated (842 -867). Goddard summarizes Nicetas’ view:

In short, Muhammad was an ignorant charlatan who, by deceit, managed to deceive the ignorant, barbaric Arabs into adopting a crude, blasphemous, idolatrous, demonic religion full of vain errors, intellectual monstrosities, doctrinal errors, and moral aberrations.

Goddard further argues that Nicetas demonstrates in his work a knowledge of the entire Qur’an, including an extensive knowledge of suras 2-18. Nicetas’ account from behind the Byzantine frontier apparently set a strong precedent for later writing, both in tone and in points of argument.

Roland’s song

The 11th century author(s) of the Song of Roland evidently had little real knowledge of Islam. As depicted in this epic poem, Muslims erect and worship statues of Muhammad, and Muhammad is part of an “unholy trinity” along with the classical Greek Apollyon and Termagant, an entirely fictional deity invented by Christians in the Middle Ages. This view, which apparently confuses Islam with the pre-Christian Greco-Roman religion, seems to reflect the misunderstandings then prevalent in Western Christian society.

The Divine Comedy

In Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy, Mohammed is in the ninth ditch of Malebolge, the eighth kingdom, destined for those who caused schism; In particular, he was counted among the sowers of religious discord. Muhammad is shown split in half with his entrails hanging out, showing his status as heresiarch (Canto 28).

This scene is frequently shown in illustrations of the Divine Comedy. Mohammed is depicted in a 15th-century fresco entitled The Last Judgment by Giovanni da Modena, based on Dante, in the Basilica of San Petronio in Bologna,[54] and in artworks by Salvador Dalí, Auguste Rodin, William Blake and Gustave Doré. [55]

Catholic Church and Islam

Second Vatican Council and Nostra Aetate

The question of Islam was not on the agenda when Nostra Aetate was first written, even at the opening of Vatican II. But as with the question of Judaism, several events came together that stimulated a confrontation with Islam. By the time of the second session of the Council in 1963, reservations were beginning to be raised by the bishops of the Middle East about the inclusion of this question. The position has been taken that either the question is not asked at all, or if it is asked, mention should be made of Muslims. The Melkite patriarch Maximos IV was among those pushing for this latter position.

In early 1964, Cardinal Bea informed Cardinal Cicognani, President of the Council’s Coordinating Commission, that the Council Fathers wanted the Council to say something about the major monotheistic religions, and Islam in particular. However, the issue was seen as outside the purview of Bea’s Secretariat for Promoting Christian Unity. Bea agreed to “pick some competent people and work with them on a draft” to be presented to the Coordinating Commission. At a Coordinating Commission meeting on April 16-17, Cicognani acknowledged the need to talk about Muslims.[56]

In the time between the first and the second session, Pope John XXIII changed papacy. to Pope Paul VI, who had been a member of the circle (the Badaliya) of the Islamologist Louis Massignon. Pope Paul VI chose the path recommended by Maximus IV and therefore set up commissions to introduce paragraphs on the Muslims in two different documents, one being Nostra aetate, paragraph three, the other Lumen gentium, paragraph 16. [57]

The text of the final draft showed traces of Massignon’s influence. The reference to Mary, for example, resulted from the intervention of Monsignor Descuffi, the Latin Archbishop of Smyrna, with whom Massignon collaborated in reviving the cult of Mary in Smyrna. The praise of Muslim prayer may reflect the influence of Badaliya.[57]

In Lumen Gentium, the Second Vatican Council declares that the plan of salvation also includes Muslims because of their professed monotheism.[58]

Recent Catholic-Islamic Controversies

Protestantism and Islam

Protestantism and Islam came into contact in the 16th century, at a time when Protestant movements in northern Europe coincided with the expansion of the Ottoman Empire in southern Europe. Since both were in conflict with the Catholic Holy Roman Empire, numerous exchanges ensued, exploring religious similarities and the possibility of commercial and military alliances.[59] Relations became more contentious in the early modern and modern times, although recent overtures have been attempted.[60]

Mormonism and Islam

Mormonism and Islam have been compared since the former’s earliest nineteenth-century origins, often by detractors of one religion or the other—or both.[61] For example, shortly after his assassination in June 1844, Joseph Smith, the Mormon founding prophet, was dubbed “the modern Mahomet” by the New York Herald[62] for a career,[63] one that was not meant as a compliment at the time. The comparison between the Mormon and Muslim prophets continues today, sometimes for derogatory or polemical reasons[64] but also for more scholarly and neutral reasons.[65] While Mormonism and Islam certainly share many similarities, there are also significant, fundamental differences between the two religions. Relations between Mormons and Muslims have historically been cordial;[66] in recent years there has been increasing dialogue between adherents of the two faiths and collaboration in charitable endeavors, particularly in the Middle and Far East.[67]

Christianity and Druze

Christianity and the Druze are Abrahamic religions that share a historical traditional connection with some major theological differences. The two faiths share a common place of origin in the Middle East and consider themselves monotheistic. Although the faith originally evolved from Ismaili Islam, the Druze do not identify as Muslim.[68][69]

The relationship between the Druze and Christians was characterized by harmony and coexistence,[70][71][72][73] with friendly relations between the two groups predominating throughout history, except for a few periods including 1860’s civilian life in Lebanon War.[74][75] Over the centuries, some Druze adopted Christianity,[76][77][78][79] such as some members of the Shihab dynasty[80] and the Abi Lamma clan.[81]

Contact between Christians (members of the Maronite, Eastern Orthodox, Melkite and other churches) and the Unitarian Druze led to the presence of mixed villages and towns in Mount Lebanon, Jabal al-Druze,[82] Galilee and Mount Carmel. The Maronites and the Druze founded modern Lebanon in the early 18th century through the system of rule and society known as “Maronite-Druze dualism” in Mount Lebanon Mutasarrifate.[83]

Unlike the Druze, Christianity does not include belief in reincarnation or transmigration.[84] Unlike the Druze, who do not accept converts, Christians often engage in evangelism by establishing missions; Even marriage outside of the Druze faith is rare and strongly discouraged. Similarities between the Druze and Christians include similarities in their views on marriage and divorce, as well as belief in the oneness of God and theophany.[84] The Druze faith incorporates some elements of Christianity[85][86] and other religious beliefs.

Both faiths give Jesus a prominent place:[87][88] Jesus is the central figure of Christianity, and in the Druze faith Jesus is considered an important prophet of God,[87][88] one of the seven prophets who appeared in various epochs of history.[89] Both religions worshiped John the Baptist,[90] Saint George,[91] Elijah[90] and other common personalities.

Artistic influences

Islamic art and culture have both influenced and been influenced by Christian art and culture. Some arts have received such an influence strongly, particularly religious architecture in the Byzantine and Medieval periods [92][93]

See also

references

Continue reading

introduction

Along with Judaism and Christianity, Islam is one of the three major Abrahamic religions. Islam, considered by the Pew Research Center to be the world’s fastest growing religion, has about 1.8 billion followers worldwide, of whom about 3.35 million live in the United States.1 Muslims celebrate two major holidays each year: Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. This fact sheet describes the meaning of the two holidays and their observance by American Muslims and looks at how the holidays have been recognized by elected officials. The fact sheet also briefly describes two other widely celebrated Muslim holidays.

This fact sheet is intended to assist congress bureaus in their work related to Islamic holidays. It includes sample speeches and remarks from the Congressional Record, presidential proclamations and remarks, and selected historical and cultural resources. This is part of a series of factsheets from the Congressional Research Service on religious holidays in the United States.

dates of holidays

Because Islamic dates are based on the lunar calendar, they are traditionally determined by naked-eye sightings of the new moon. This practice is considered a religious requirement by some Muslims. Because of this traditional reliance on lunar observation, dates are said to be approximate until the new moon is actually sighted.2 As a result of advances in technology and a better understanding of astronomy, some Muslims are increasingly accepting astronomical predictions to predetermine dates.

Important Holidays and Observations

Muslims have been celebrating the Eid (Muslim festival) holiday for 1,400 years. In general, Muslims celebrate two important holidays: Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. The dates for these two holidays are traditionally set according to the Islamic or Hijra calendar, which is based on the lunar year.3 The dates for Muslim holidays change every year. According to the Hijra or lunar calendar, the holidays advance by about 11 days in the Gregorian calendar each year.

Eid al-Fitr (Festival of Breaking the Fast)

This Eid is often celebrated for one day each year at the end of the roughly 30-day month of Ramadan, when many Muslim adults fast daily from sunrise to sunset and give alms to the poor and needy. Fasting in Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam. During Ramadan, some read the Qur’an cover to cover.4

Eid al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice)

Eid al-Adha is celebrated for 4 to 12 days at the end of the Hajj (pilgrimage, the fifth pillar of Islam)5 to Mecca and Medina, depending on the country. Annually, about 2 million Muslims attend Hajj from the 10th to the 13th of the month of Dhu al-Hijjah, the last month in the Islamic calendar. Eid al-Adha commemorates the dream in which God appeared to Ibrahim (known to Christians as Abraham) and asked him to sacrifice his son Ishmael as an act of obedience. In the Judeo-Christian tradition, this son is believed to be Isaac. According to religious tradition, God intervened and required that a sheep be sacrificed in Ishmael’s place. Although both Eid holidays are important, Muslims generally consider Eid al-Adha to be the holiest festival in the Islamic calendar.6

nature of Eid celebrations

For the Eid holiday, houses are often decorated and after prayers, Muslims wear their most beautiful clothes. Muslims in the United States can sacrifice an animal or purchase an animal sacrificed according to Halal standards to observe Eid. The meat can be given along with other gifts to family, friends, neighbors and the less fortunate. This is known as zakat, a religious obligation for Muslims and is the third of the five pillars of Islam. In Arabic, zakat means alms, purification, growth and blessings. Paying zakat is intended to remind Muslims to appreciate the blessings Allah has bestowed upon them and to help empower those who have less. 7

After completing both Eids, people can say “Eid Mubarak” to each other. This is an Arabic greeting meaning blessed Eid or blessed feast. Muslims often wish Eid Mubarak after performing Eid al-Adha prayer and may also hug each other three times.8

Other Muslim festivals

Ashura

For Shia Muslims, Ashura commemorates the murder and subsequent martyrdom of Husayn, grandson of Prophet Muhammad, on the 10th day of the Islamic lunar month Muharram. It is generally observed by wearing black clothing, lamentation (and sometimes self-flagellation), and fasting.9

Mawlid

Mawlid celebrates the birthday of Prophet Muhammad. Its legitimacy has been the subject of intense debate in the Muslim world, but it is recognized by most denominations of Islam and is a national holiday in most Muslim-majority countries, with the exceptions of Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Mawlid is celebrated during Rabi’ al-awwal, the third month in the Islamic calendar.10 American Muslims are divided over whether Mawlid should be celebrated. Those who celebrate it may engage in fasting, communal meals, special prayers, or outdoor celebrations.11

Official Recognition

Official state observance of Muslim holidays is determined at the local level. For example, some school districts close on the two Muslim Eid holidays. In 2015, New York City became the first major metropolitan area in America to recognize the two Eids as official holidays and closed its public schools to observe Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.12 communities in Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia and other states now have similar observances.

In 2001, the US Postal Service issued a US postage stamp commemorating both Eids for the first time in American history. Since then there have been other issues of Eid stamps, the last coming in 2016.13

Recognition by Congress

Over the years, some members of Congress have recognized the importance of the two Eid holidays and the contribution Muslim Americans make to the country and their communities.

Representative Debbie Dingel, “Recognizing the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, commending a month of fasting and spiritual renewal, and sending best wishes to Muslims in the United States and around the world for a joyful and meaningful celebration of Eid al-Fitr “ (4 , 2019), H.Res. 424

Rep. Donald Payne, Jr., “Eid al-Fitr,” House of Representatives, Congressional Record, Daily Edition, Vol. 165, No. 93 (June 4, 2019), p. H4296.

Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson, “Recognizing the beginning of Ramadan, the Muslim holy month of fasting and spiritual renewal, and acknowledging the faith of Muslims in the United States and around the world” (May 1, 2019), H.Res . 343

Representative Sheila Jackson Lee, “Celebration of Eid-al-Fitr Marking the End of the Holy Month of Ramadan,” Extensions of Remarks, Congressional Record, Daily Edition, vol. 162, No. 106 (July 1, 2016), pp. E1015-E1016.

Recognition by the President

Although the two major Muslim holidays are not recognized as official federal holidays, recent presidents have emphasized the importance of these holidays to Muslim Americans and Muslims around the world through remarks or press statements. Examples from the last two presidential administrations include

Message from the President on Eid al-Fitr Observance (Donald J. Trump), June 2019

Presidential Speech at Iftar Dinner (Donald J. Trump), May 13, 2019

Message from the President on Ramadan Observance (Donald J. Trump), May 5, 2019

Speech by the President at an Eid al-Fitr reception (Barak Obama), July 21, 2016

Presidential statement on Eid al-Fitr observance (Barak Obama, July 6, 2016

Presidential Statement on Ramadan Observance (Barak Obama), June 5, 2016.

Historical and cultural resources

Numerous sources provide information on the history and culture of Muslim holidays and the Muslim American experience in general. Some of these include the following:

Pew Research Center, “Video: Being Muslim in America” ​​An insight into the beliefs and attitudes of Muslims in America, with data from the 2017 Pew survey and stories from Muslims across the United States.

Pew Research Center, “Muslims in America: Immigrants and Native Americans See Life Differently in Many Ways.” Findings from a 2017 survey of American Muslims.

CNN, “A Ramadan Etiquette Guide for Non-Muslims.” (May 3, 2019)

Washington Post, Retropod, “Thomas Jefferson’s Iftar Dinner and the Long History of Ramadan at the White House” (June 2018).

Pew Research Center, “US Muslims Concerned About Their Place in Society But Continue to Believe in the American Dream.” Findings of a major 2017 study of Muslim Americans.

Pew Research Center, “The Future of World Religions: Population Growth Projections, 2010-2050.”

“The Arab World.” An illustrated guide to resources available at the Library of Congress.

“Middle East Studies.” Relevant online databases are available at the Library of Congress.

“Religions: Islam.” Selected sources from the BBC.

Associated CRS Reports

CRS Report R41990, Federal Holidays: Evolution and Current Practices, by Jacob R. Straus.

CRS Report R43539, Congressional Commemorations: Ways to Honor Individuals, Groups, and Events, coordinated by Jacob R. Straus.

According to a local media report on Wednesday, a Malaysian Islamic authority has banned the celebration of Halloween in a fatwa (religious edict).

The country’s national fatwa council has criticized the spooky tradition as “Western” and diverged from the teachings of Islam.

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“Halloween celebration clearly violates Sharia [sic] values,” the council said in an online post yesterday, referring to Islamic law, Malay Mail Online reported.

The post further explained that Halloween honors the dead and is haram, meaning forbidden.

“It cannot be celebrated by Muslims. To commemorate the deceased, Islam proposes the practice of reciting doa (prayers) and the Qur’an.”

While Muslim groups in Malaysia have previously condemned events such as Oktoberfest and a Touch A Dog event, fatwas are reportedly not legally binding unless approved by the state, the Jakarta Post reported.

A friend recently asked me if it was okay for Christians to celebrate Thanksgiving. I decide to research more about the holiday to answer my friend’s question. This blog post reflects what I discovered.

Should Christians Celebrate Thanksgiving? Yes, Christians should celebrate Thanksgiving. It’s a time to thank God for the blessings in our lives. Celebrating Thanksgiving and explaining what we are thankful for shows God our adoration for Him.

Thanksgiving is an exciting time to be with family, eat home cooking, and of course say a few things you’re grateful for. Let’s start with a look at Thanksgiving history.

History of Thanksgiving

The first Thanksgiving in America was when a group of Pilgrims and Indians gave thanks together after a tough year.

When the pilgrims first arrived in the new land of America, they faced many problems. They were supported by the natives of the country, and after having a bountiful harvest, they feasted and held a feast.

They thanked God for their blessings.

This happened around November 1621 and the amazing thing is that we still celebrate it today. The pilgrims kept thanking the Lord and set aside a day for it.

The pilgrims did not have an easy start to their settlement, and about half died before they could figure out how to live off the land.

Hearing their story of how they overcame and glorified God when they received plenty of nourishment should inspire us today to give thanks even in difficult times.

We love hearing stories of those who, despite their circumstances, have accomplished something amazing, and that was exactly what the day of Thanksgiving for the Pilgrims was.

When the pilgrims began to give thanks, they might not have chosen a consistent day like today, but they wanted a special day.

In 1863, Abraham Lincoln made Thanksgiving a national holiday.

You can learn more about the difference in the article Holiday vs. Holy Day: Origins, Meaning and Differences.

The basic premise of Thanksgiving is giving thanks for what we have. It used to be seen as a time to thank God for His blessings in our lives and now it’s a time to enjoy the abundance of food and family.

How Christians Should Respond to the Cultural View of Thanksgiving

Today, Thanksgiving is marked by many events and certain folk traditions. Some are based on the origins of thanksgiving, others have been practiced over the years due to culture and other various influences.

Thanksgiving & Food

Eating from the start is a big part of Thanksgiving. Many traditional Thanksgiving meals today include a turkey, corn, mashed potatoes, bun, cranberry sauce, and more.

Many people take Thanksgiving as a day to eat more than normal. As we enjoy food and life’s blessings, we must ensure that we are good stewards of what we have and how we treat our bodies.

Overeating does not mean being good stewards of our bodies. We shouldn’t eat more than our bodies need.

Rather, clothe yourselves in the Lord Jesus Christ and do not think how to satisfy the lusts of the flesh. Romans 13:14

That’s not to say you can’t enjoy Thanksgiving dinner, but don’t overeat.

Thanksgiving & Soccer

Soccer games have become another important day of Thanksgiving. After eating more than enough, it’s time for the average American to settle down and watch a football game.

Football games can be a great time to get together and enjoy entertainment with friends and family. Even spending time with friends and family while watching a game can be a blessing, but only if you use the time wisely.

Don’t let something like a soccer game be the focus of your day, instead focus on your friends and family and consciously take time to give thanks to God.

Thanksgiving & Black Friday

Black Friday shopping is the day after Thanksgiving, but has slowly evolved into Thanksgiving Day. Offers start earlier and earlier each year, so offers and long lines begin at Thanksgiving.

The massive purchases that happen on Black Friday can remind us as Americans of our consumerism, and we can even put things above the people in our lives at times. This is what happens when time with people is cut short by shopping and priorities are out of whack due to amazing sales.

Thanksgiving as Christians should be a time to be thankful for God’s blessings and time with friends and family, not a time to get more and more stuff.

Sharing what you are thankful for is also very important and a big part of Thanksgiving. As the name of the holiday suggests, it was created and used to express gratitude for the friends and family around you.

Sharing what you’re grateful for is a great Thanksgiving tradition that helps carry the Thanksgiving name forward. On this day we remember what we can be thankful for.

As Christians, we want to thank God for the many blessings in our lives, but also know that this should not be a one-off event, but a daily habit.

Many people spend their Thanksgiving Day with family or friends. Thanksgiving is known for a time when friends and family gather to enjoy life’s blessings.

Friends and family are an amazing blessing from God. We were created to live in community, and friends and family can be the closest communities in our lives.

Spending the day with those closest to us helps remind us all of what we have to be thankful for. When we are with friends and family we can feel blessed and it reminds us of God blessing us in many ways.

Genuine gratitude is an act of affection of the heart, not an act of the lip muscles. John Piper

How to approach Thanksgiving as a Christian

Approaching Thanksgiving as Christians should carry more weight for us. Not only can we be thankful for material things in general, but we can also be grateful to God for the many spiritual blessings in our lives.

Thanksgiving can be the perfect day for Christians to give thanks. Praise God for everything He has done for you. give him honor.

If Thanksgiving is often all about food and football for you, consider volunteering in your community. You could donate to a local grocery store or help serve food at a homeless shelter.

Appreciate your family and friends

Being with family and friends has a lot happening around the holidays so take advantage of the time and thank God for them and enjoy your time with them.

Also, make sure to express your gratitude for the people in your life and let them know how much they mean to you.

One idea to incorporate into your Thanksgiving celebration is communion. This reminds us of what Jesus did on the cross.

As you prepare for Thanksgiving, focus on the day with more of a focus on giving thanks and less on the material attractions that the world is celebrating. We can glorify God through Thanksgiving.

A state of mind that sees God in all is evidence of increasing grace and a grateful heart. Karl Finney

Scripture on being thankful

The Bible tells us to be thankful. These verses are meant to encourage us to thank God on Thanksgiving, but also to thank God every day.

The Old and New Testaments strongly emphasize that we come to God with our needs, but they also encourage us to always thank God for everything He has done for us.

Enter its gates with thanksgiving, and its courts with praise! Thank him; bless his name! Psalm 100:4

Our attitude when we come to God should be one of praise. Thanksgiving for what God is and all He has done should not be forgotten.

Always rejoice, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

It’s amazing that even in some of the most difficult circumstances, we can be thankful in Christ. Holidays aren’t always the happiest time of year for those who have lost family and friends, but thanks to Jesus we can thank them.

It is amazing to see the apostle Paul’s attitude of giving thanks even in the midst of trials.

Paul did not have an easy life and was imprisoned for his beliefs and eventually killed. He said he could be content in any situation because he knew he would have strength through Christ.

Not that I’m talking about neediness, because I’ve learned to be content in any situation. I know how to be humiliated and I know how to be lavish. In all circumstances I have learned the secret of meeting abundance and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:11-13

As we read through Paul’s letters, we see again and again that Paul mentions being grateful or that he gives thanks. That’s the attitude we should have because we trust God to work through our lives.

Continue steadfastly in prayer, alert with thanksgiving. Colossians 4:2

Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:6

Often thanksgiving is combined with prayer, and as we make our requests before God and commune with our Heavenly Father, we should also be grateful.

Throughout the Bible we also read about the many reasons why we should be thankful.

Throughout Scripture we are reminded of what God has done for us and why our hearts should be filled with thanksgiving.

Let us therefore be thankful that we have received an unshakable kingdom, and so let us offer acceptable worship to God, with reverence and reverence, for our God is a consuming fire. Hebrews 12:28–29

We can be thankful for the unshakable kingdom of God, unlike the world around us we have hope for a kingdom that cannot be shaken.

But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us spreads the fragrance of knowledge of him everywhere. 2 Corinthians 2:14

The victory we have in Jesus’ triumph over the grave makes us triumphant as Christians. Not only are we victorious, but he has chosen to use us to spread the good news around the world. We can be exceedingly grateful that He saved and chose us.

May they thank the Lord for his unwavering love, for his wonderful works on the children of men! For he satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with good things. Psalm 107:8–9

Thanksgiving Day is a day to give thanks to God.

Every year there are Muslims, Jews and Christians in the United States who refrain from celebrating Halloween.

According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), 42% of the population do not plan to attend Halloween this year, although of course not all of these people abstain from the holiday for religious reasons during a pandemic.

Halloween originated as a Celtic holiday called Samhain, celebrated 2,000 years ago. It marked the end of the Celtic year and the beginning of a dark, cold winter. At that time it was said that night spirits of the dead roamed the earth.

In the eighth century, Pope Gregory III. All Saints’ Day, a holiday honoring all saints who did not yet have their own day, from May 13th to November 1st. The reason for this shift is disputed, but by the time Samhain was rising in popularity, this was the Pope’s way of Christianizing a pagan holiday.

All Hallows Eve, named after the day before All Saints’ Day, was the new “Christian” version of Samhain. The name was eventually shortened to Halloween.

Halloween came to America in the early 19th century but gained popularity when the Irish immigrated to America during the Irish Potato Famines. They brought with them their Halloween traditions of dressing up and trick-or-treating.

The holiday has evolved a lot since then. According to a study, Halloween is the fifth busiest drinking holiday in America. It has now become a consumer holiday, with spending estimated at $8.05 billion this year, according to NRF. That estimate has dropped this year due to COVID-19.

The original celebration of Samhain had to do with spirits and the dead, and it still does today. Ghosts, witches, vampires and the devil are all among the most popular costumes. Again, this is consistent with the origins of Halloween, but less so with the Christianized version of it.

Based on the history of Halloween and what today’s holiday looks like, some religions prohibit participation in it.

The Jewish Virtual Library says, “While many American non-Orthodox Jews tend to celebrate the non-religious traditions of Halloween, halacha prohibits Jewish participation in the holiday.” Because Halloween has both pagan and Christian origins, it is considered Gentile festival whose celebration violates Jewish law.

Similarly: “From an Islamic point of view, Halloween is one of the worst festivals because of its origin and history. It is haraam (forbidden) to engage in such a practice, even if there may be some seemingly good or harmless elements in it…” according to Islamweb.net.

While Halloween’s Christian origins are problematic for Jews and Muslims, Christians have other reasons for not celebrating the holiday.

Jamie Morgan, senior pastor of Life Church in New Jersey, wrote in The Christian Post: “Scripture tells us to put off the deeds of darkness (Rom. 13:12) and that light has nothing in common with darkness (Ex 6:14). Is celebrating a dark holiday something a child of the light should do?”

Churches often hold fall or harvest festivals to give families an alternative to Halloween.

The decision to celebrate or not to celebrate is hotly debated in these religious communities, especially among young families.

In all of these areas there are people who choose to celebrate Halloween, and they do so with their own reasons to reinforce their position.

Most of the time, there is a middle ground that these religious people come to. There is a way to celebrate Halloween well, and it’s mostly a matter of conscience whether you choose to do it.

Kate Nicholl is a journalism student at King’s College in New York City.

Thanksgiving. Ask any young and urban Indian what this word means and he will give you details from every American TV series he has seen – be it FRIENDS, How I Met Your Mother or even Modern Family. The words “American Feast” and “turkey” will be the most commonly used words to describe this day in November.

But Thanksgiving is much more than that.

Yes, it’s a festival, and quite American at that. But if you think it’s a Christian festival, you’re wrong. Thanksgiving is actually a secular celebration and has its origins in the 17th century when America was slowly being colonized by the British and other European nations.

Also Read: 5 Halloween Rituals and Traditions You Didn’t Know About

Here are some of the most interesting things happening that day.

The Pilgrims and the Natives

Thanksgiving is primarily a harvest-related celebration. It’s a day for people to thank each other and the earth for all the good things that have happened in life. The first Thanksgiving was celebrated in 1621 and there is a very interesting story about it.

The First Thanksgiving at Plymouth, a painting by Jennie Brownscombe, depicts the first time this secular American holiday was celebrated in 1621. Image Courtesy: Twitter/RedPocketMobile The First Thanksgiving at Plymouth, a painting by Jennie Brownscombe, shows the first time this secular American was celebrated The festival was celebrated in 1621. Image courtesy: Twitter/RedPocketMobile

The religious refugees from England, commonly known as the Pilgrims, had a prosperous harvest after a very tough year. To celebrate, they invited the local Wampanoag Indian tribe to their festival. The festival lasted three days and featured local delicacies such as squash, corn, beans, goose, lobster, cod and deer.

FDR set it in stone

Making the celebration of Thanksgiving official was a major concern for American presidents, especially since there was no religious association.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt carving a turkey at Thanksgiving dinner set the date for the holiday. Image Courtesy of: Twitter/primemiketime President Franklin D. Roosevelt carving up a turkey at Thanksgiving dinner set the date for the holiday. Image courtesy: Twitter/primemiketime

According to the Telegraph, on October 3, 1789, George Washington made the first National Thanksgiving Proclamation. But it was actually Franklin D. Roosevelt who finally set the exact date of Thanksgiving in stone. So in 1939-1941 it was decided to make Thanksgiving a national holiday on the fourth Thursday in November every year.

The President’s Pardon

Well, here’s a tradition that will make you sit up. Every year since the 1940s, the President of the United States has been presented with a turkey or two selected by the National Turkey Federation. The President then “pardons” (at least) one turkey from attending the President’s Thanksgiving dinner at the White House.

This lucky bird can then live his life freely! This gesture of kindness to cattle was made an official White House tradition in 1989 by George HW Bush. Last year, President Barack Obama pardoned the last Thanksgiving turkey of his term with the words “Yes, we cran”. This year, Donald Trump did the same in the White House Rose Garden.

Also Read: 7 Teachings of Guru Teg Bahadur that Preach the Humanity We Need Today

What about the turkey?

But when and how did the turkey become the recognized symbol of Thanksgiving? Apparently Edward Winslow, a pilgrim, mentioned a turkey hunt before the festival in 1621. And turkeys have been a part of Thanksgiving dinner ever since.

Donald Trump pardons Thanksgiving turkey at the White House. Photo: Reuters Donald Trump pardons Thanksgiving turkey at the White House. Photo: Reuters

Others say wild turkeys are native to North America, so it’s logical that the only secular festival celebrated on the continent should feature this odd-looking but definitely delicious bird.

So what’s on the menu?

A traditional American Thanksgiving dinner usually includes a whole roasted bird—it can be turkey, goose, or duck. Some people also prefer fried ham.

Whole roast turkeys have become the most popular symbol of Thanksgiving. Image Courtesy: Instagram/by_jazzit Whole roast turkeys have become the most popular Thanksgiving symbol. Image Courtesy: Instagram/by_jazzit

A filling of breadcrumbs, chopped celery, carrots, onions, chestnuts, bacon or sausage, raisins or apples, and sage that is stuffed into the turkey for roasting and later served as a side dish. This meal usually comes with a cranberry sauce and ends with a traditional pumpkin pie. Nowadays people naturally opt for stuffed turkey breast and pecan or apple pie.

Thanksgiving marks the start of the holiday season in America. It is the secular festival that ignites people’s celebratory spirit, which peaks around Christmas. But that doesn’t mean Thanksgiving is a second celebration after Christmas. No, Thanksgiving is one of the biggest holidays in the US, with good American football, the Macy’s parade, good food and great company.

Happy Thanksgiving!

American mythology has it that pilgrims and Native Americans came together 400 years ago for the first Thanksgiving.

But the peace did not last; The settlers and their former allies were at war a generation later.

For some, the holiday is just a reminder of Native American oppression.

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Thanksgiving is traditionally a time for family and food in the United States.

American schoolchildren usually learn that the tradition dates back to the Pilgrims who helped found Plymouth Colony in what is now Massachusetts in the 1620s.

As the story goes, friendly Native American natives rushed in to teach the struggling colonists how to survive in the so-called New World. Then everyone got together to celebrate 1621 with a feast.

Thanksgiving 2021 would mark the 400th anniversary of that “first” American Thanksgiving.

But in reality there were Thanksgiving celebrations before Plymouth, and the peace celebrated that day was tenuous.

In fact, the true story behind the holiday is so murky that some people are reconsidering how to celebrate the holiday, or whether they should do so at all.

School children at the statue by Massasoit, ‘Great Sachem of the Wampanoags’, on the hill overlooking Plymouth Rock and the harbour. Tom Herd/The Boston Globe via Getty Images

The Plymouth Thanksgiving of 1621 was not the first

Settlers in Berkeley Hundred, in modern-day Virginia, celebrated their arrival with Thanksgiving as early as 1619, according to National Geographic — although The Washingtonian reported that the meal was probably little more than a few oysters and ham thrown together.

Decades earlier, in Florida in 1565, Spanish settlers and members of the Seloy tribe broke bread with salted pork, chickpeas, and a mass, according to the National Parks Service.

Our modern definition of Thanksgiving revolves around eating turkey, but this has been more of a religious observance for centuries past. Pilgrims would most likely consider their sober day of prayer in 1623 to be the first proper Thanksgiving, according to the History of Massachusetts blog.

Others credit the year 1637 as the true origin of Thanksgiving, as Massachusetts Bay Colony Governor John Winthrop declared a day to celebrate colonial soldiers who were feeding hundreds of Pequot men, women, and children in present-day Mystic, Connecticut , had slaughtered.

Regardless, the popular narrative of the first Thanksgiving lived on thanks to Abraham Lincoln.

The enduring holiday also almost erased from our collective memory what happened between the Wampanoag and the English a generation later.

‘The First Thanksgiving in Plymouth’ painted by Jennie Augusta Brownscombe. Barney Burstein/Corbis/VCG via Getty Images

The peace didn’t last

Massasoit, the chief chief of the Wampanoag, allied with the English settlers after the founding of Plymouth and fought with the newcomers against the French and other local tribes.

But the alliance grew strained over time.

As thousands more English colonists moved to Plymouth and conquered more land, authorities claimed control of “most aspects of Wampanoag life,” according to “Historic Contact: Indian People and Colonists in Today’s Northeastern United States.”

A study published in the journal Quarternary Science Reviews estimated that by 1620 the disease had already reduced the indigenous population of New England by 90%. The Wampanoag continued to die from what the colonists called “Native American fever,” an unknown disease introduced by early European settlers.

A drawing by H.L. Stevens of Massasoit meeting Governor John Carver in front of other North American men. Drawn by H.L. Stevens/Inked by Augustus Robin/Corbis/Getty Images

When Massasoit’s son Metacomet – known to the English as ‘King Philip’ – inherited the leadership, relations were torn. His men were executed for the murder of Punkapoag interpreter and Christian convert John Sassamon, sparking the King Philip’s War.

Wampanoag warriors responded with raids, and the New England Confederation of Colonies declared war in 1675.

The war was bloody and devastating.

In an article published in the Historical Journal of Massachusetts, Montclair State University professor Robert E. Cray Jr. said the death toll could have been as much as 30% of the English population and half of New England’s Native Americans.

The colonial attack on Fort Narragansett in the Great Swamp Fight, December 1675. Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Metacomet was decapitated and dismembered, according to It Happened in Rhode Island, and colonists impaled his head on a spike for display for 25 years.

The war was just one in a series of violent but little-remembered early conflicts between Native Americans and colonists in New England, New York, and Virginia.

The holiday’s dark past makes some people think of Thanksgiving

A recent renewed focus on racial justice in the US has some people saying it’s time to re-evaluate the meaning and celebration of Thanksgiving.

Teachers, professors and Native Americans told the New York Times that they are rethinking the holiday, which has sidelined US violence and cruelty against Native Americans, giving it names like “Takesgiving” and “The Thanksgiving Massacre.”

And thinking about Thanksgiving isn’t new. According to the New York Post, the United American Indians of New England have publicly mourned Thanksgiving for decades.

Frank James, an Aquinnah Wampanoag activist who helped establish a national day of mourning in 1970, called the Wampanoag’s welcoming of English settlers “perhaps our biggest mistake,” reports the Washington Post.

On the National Day of Mourning, Native Americans gather in Plymouth, Massachusetts for a day of remembrance. Prayers and speeches are accompanied by drumbeats before participants march through Plymouth’s historic district.

“Participants in the National Day of Mourning honor Indigenous people and the struggles of Indigenous people for survival today,” reads part of the plaque. “It is a day of remembrance and spiritual connection, as well as a protest against the racism and oppression that Native Americans continue to experience.”

Like many of us, I was taught in elementary school that Thanksgiving is a beautiful moment in our country’s history. Friendly whites sailed across on the Mayflower and befriended the natives, who taught them how to hunt and grow crops. The two groups celebrated their new friendship with a three-day feast of turkey, corn and potatoes, and they all lived in harmony for years to come. It was a great story of struggle and triumph. Unfortunately, that’s just a myth.

In fact, the first Thanksgiving was likely a celebratory dinner in 1637 after what is now known as the Pequot Massacre. After killing over 700 Pequot men, women and children, Governor John Winthrop of Massachusetts Bay Colony declared the next day that it was “a day of thanksgiving and celebration for the Pequot’s subjugation.”

So, understandably, there are some people who choose not to celebrate Thanksgiving because the true story is rarely told. If you choose not to celebrate Thanksgiving, there are other ways to spend the day, the following day, or even the week. Below are nine Thanksgiving alternatives to check out, from the National Day of Mourning protests to the indigenous peoples’ sunrise ceremony.

1 National Day of Mourning The National Day of Mourning is an annual protest held on Thanksgiving Day. The protesters recognize the historical and current suffering of Native Americans. The protest will take place at 12 p.m. in Plymouth, Massachusetts. If you can’t make it to the physical protests, you can still show solidarity by teaching others about Native American history.

2 Unthanksgiving Day Unthanksgiving Day, also known as the Native American sunrise ceremony, takes place every year on Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay. Participants honor indigenous peoples and promote their civil rights. Unthanksgiving Day is currently only in San Francisco, but consider hosting your own Unthanksgiving Day in your city if you can’t make it to the bay.

3 National Listening Day National Listening Day falls on the day after Thanksgiving. Instead of celebrating Thanksgiving, you can broaden your perspective by listening to someone who is a member of a marginalized group.

4 Native American Heritage Month November is Native American Heritage Month. Instead of celebrating the myth of Thanksgiving, visit a museum or library to learn about Native American history and culture.

5 Restorative Justice Week Restorative Justice Week takes place in Canada during the third week of November each year, but you can easily learn about restorative justice from the comfort of your own home. Restorative justice is a philosophy that rethinks crime and seeks ways to repair the harm caused by crime. In November, learn more about how to reduce harm in families, neighborhoods, schools and the workplace.

6 National Family Week Many people enjoy Thanksgiving because it allows them to spend time with family. National Family Week (November 21-27) is all the positives of Thanksgiving and none of the negatives. Get out the photo album and home videos and enjoy some much-needed quality time.

7 National Games and Puzzles Week The holidays are all about having fun with loved ones. Pretend it’s the ’90s and play Monopoly and Uno this National Game and Puzzle Week (Nov. 21-27).

Hari Raya Aidilfitri, the Festival of Breaking the Fast, a religious holiday celebrated by Muslims in Malaysia. Hari Raya means “feast day,” and Hari Raya Aidilfitri is the day that marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting from sunrise to sunset. Hari Raya Aidilfitri falls on July 6th and 7th this year.

What happens on the day of Hari Raya Aidilfitri?

Muslims get up early to visit the mosque and thank God for the blessings they have in life. They will ask for forgiveness and receive “green” money packages from their elders. While putting on their new best clothes, they will pay a visit to their relatives, families and friends to enjoy traditional delicious food. Ketupat (rice cake), Lemang (glutinous rice) and many other traditional foods.

What traditional clothing is worn on this day?

Women usually wear either a baju kurung, baju kebaya, or jubah. Meanwhile, men wear the male version of a Baju Kurung along with a kain samping – a piece of cloth worn over the Baju Kurung’s trousers. It is common for men to wear a songkok on their heads as well.

Do you have to bring any gifts?

Most Muslims in Malaysia do not expect guests to give gifts or cash. When guests insist on presenting something, then candy, cookies, or kuih are best and most hosts appreciate them. Guests should also be aware of what not to give. Black is an avoidable color. Wine, champagne or any other form of alcohol is forbidden for Muslims.

Non-Muslim guests are not expected to wear traditional Malay dress. However, your hosts might like it if you make the effort. It is perfectly acceptable to wear casual attire and not wear overly revealing Western clothing.

What are the most common Hari Raya Puasa greetings?

“Selamat Hari Raya” is the traditional greeting of Malay Muslims, meaning “Happy Hari Raya” and “Maaf Zahir dan Batin”, which translates to “I ask your forgiveness”.

Many Muslims also say “Eid Mubarak” when greeting each other; The term has Arabic origins. Eid Mubarak means Happy Hari Raya.

Muslims usually travel back to their hometown three days to a week before Hari Raya Aidilfitri to avoid the heavy traffic. If you are planning to travel during this period, try to book in advance before tickets sell out.

Thanksgiving Day is celebrated annually on the fourth Thursday in November as a national holiday in the North American continent. The day is meant to celebrate the harvest season and other blessings of the past year.

Date of Thanksgiving Day 2020: In 2020, the holiday of Thanksgiving Day is celebrated on November 27th.

History of Thanksgiving

In 1621, the Plymouth colonists and the Wampanoag Native Americans celebrated a fall harvest festival together, which is now recognized as one of the first Thanksgiving celebrations in the colonies. Pilgrims held their second Thanksgiving celebration in 1623 to mark the end of a long drought that had threatened the year’s harvest and prompted Governor Bradford to call for a religious fast. Annual or occasional Lent and Thanksgiving days became common practice in other New England settlements as well.

Thanksgiving days have been celebrated by individual colonies and states for more than two centuries. It was not until 1863, in the midst of the Civil War, that President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national Thanksgiving to be held on the last Thursday in November, and it was celebrated on that day every year until Franklin D. Roosevelt moved the holiday up a week, to boost retail sales during the Great Depression. Roosevelt’s plan, known scornfully as “Franksgiving,” met with opposition, and in 1941 the President reluctantly re-signed legislation putting Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday of November.

In 1817, New York was the first of several states to officially adopt an annual Thanksgiving holiday. however, each celebrated it on a different day, and the American South remained largely unfamiliar with the tradition.

US Presidents celebrating Thanksgiving Day

In 1789, George Washington issued the first United States national government Thanksgiving proclamation. His successors, John Adams and James Madison, also designated days of thanksgiving during their presidencies. So did Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Richard Nixon, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama and Donald Trump.

Thanksgiving Mother

Sarah Josepha Hale, a prominent writer and editor, is called the mother of Thanksgiving. In 1827 Hale – author of the children’s song “Mary Had a Little Lamb” – began a campaign to establish Thanksgiving as a national holiday. For 36 years, she published numerous editorials and sent numerous letters to governors, senators, presidents and other politicians urging them to observe Thanksgiving Day. Abraham Lincoln finally complied with her request in 1863.

What happens on Thanksgiving

Although Thanksgiving originally had a religious meaning, today the day has become a mostly secular holiday. Most Americans see the holiday as a day to gather and express gratitude through food, family, and soccer. At some Thanksgiving celebrations, people write down what they are thankful for and then read the note aloud.

The day is also celebrated with the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, which draws about 2 to 3 million spectators along its 2.5-mile route and draws a massive television audience. Typically, there are marching bands, performers, elaborate floats carrying various celebrities, and giant balloons shaped like cartoon characters.

Thanksgiving Day food

Turkey has almost become synonymous with holidays. According to the National Turkey Federation, almost 90 percent of Americans eat the bird on Thanksgiving Day — whether it’s roasted, baked, or fried. Other traditional foods include stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie.

Pardoning the Turkey Ceremony

Every year since the early 20th century, the President of the United States has “pardoned” a Thanksgiving turkey or two, saving the birds from slaughter and sending them to a farm to be retired.

Other countries that celebrate Thanksgiving

Canada has its own Thanksgiving Day on the second Monday in October and Liberia celebrates Thanksgiving on the first Thursday in November.

Black Friday sale

After Thanksgiving, a month-long winter holiday shopping season begins, with Black Friday kicking off the season.