They forgot the centerpiece. Nah, I won't say it.
Posted on 10/26/2006 9:09:20 AM PDT by thubb
Muslim politicians in Norway are lobbying for establishment of a new national holiday to celebrate the end of a month of fasting. They think the holiday should be recognized along the same lines as Christmas. The end of Ramadan is celebrated with a feast, like that covering this table in Oslo.
PHOTO: KNUT SNARE
"The best would be to get Eid-al-Fitr (most commonly called "id" in Norway) on the calendar as a public free day for everyone," Yousef Gilani, a city politician in Drammen, told newspaper VG. Eid-al-Fitr, which marks the end of the Fast of Ramadan, was celebrated on October 24 this year.
It's an occasion of family feasts and celebration for thousands of Norway's immigrants and descendants of immigrants, the majority of whom are from Pakistan. Muslim families and groups were celebrating their religious holiday around the country on Monday night, rather like Christmas Eve for the Christian community, but all had to work or go to school as usual the next day.
The Fast of Ramadan, meanwhile, began on September 23 and lasted for an entire month. Muslims observe it by fasting during the daylight hours and eating only in the evening before visiting friends and family. It is a time of worship and contemplation, Muslims say, a time to strengthen family and community ties.
Gilani believes that at least the Muslim community should get the day off when "id" is marked. The actual day changes from year to year, depending on the Muslim calendar.
In some organizations, they already do. The state ombudsman for issues dealing with equality and discrimination gives Muslim employees the day off if they request it.
"All groups will benefit when Muslims are free on their important holidays," said ombud Beate Gangås. "It's a win-win situation. Some religious groups can work during the Christmas holidays, for example, and get another day off in return."
She thinks all employers should be open to such a system. At present, nine of Norway's 12 national holidays are linked to Christian traditions.
DOUBT IT!!!!!!!!!!
Anti-Christian discrimination, I say!!! *sarc*
how about "National Leave the Country Day"?
I'm for it. Pick any date and call it Destruction of Mecca Day.
The one-way street of accommodating these loons has got to be closed!
Send them to Mecca and then lock the doors.
Has a ring to it. I like it.
If this is to be a new holiday, how about developing some new holiday traditions? As a traditional holiday meal for "id" I would suggest a roast suckling pig.
National "Behead an Infidel Day"...............
Yep, these people are ALL ID.............
OOOOOOH!........AHHHHHH!...........WOOOW!...........
They forgot the centerpiece. Nah, I won't say it.
our company has 45 people, 3 are of african heritage. at our planning meeting we were told the new benefit next year is we get off Martin Luther King Day to which 3 people clapped.
as a kid in singapore, when out on my own, i made sure to bring along a baggie of pork floss to munch on, especially if i knew i'd be in a heavily populated malay (-muslim) neighborhood. it was my guard against cat-calls - yes, the sickos would cat-call at girls younger than 12. they'd usually turn away in disgust while i sucked every tasty morsel off my fingertips!
i was being polite so as not to cause anyone to toss their cookies this morning....my 5 year-old can set up a breakfast table more appetizing than that.
Hope the govt tells them they can have a holiday the day the islamic countries celebrate Christian holidays.
I'll celebrate a new holiday when all the muzzies starve to death.
Outstanding. Any holiday's a good excuse for a pig roast.
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