Some Muslims Say It's Not OK to Wish Christians a Merry Christmas on Their Soil

FOXNews.com ^ | Sunday, December 24, 2006 | AP

[do the dhue]

KUWAIT CITY — Is it religiously acceptable for Muslims to wish their Christian colleagues or acquaintances a Merry Christmas? In Kuwait, it depends on who you ask.

Days before the holiday that is not officially celebrated in this small oil-rich state, fundamentalists like Mohammed al-Kandari began urging fellow Muslims not to extend the greeting to Christians they know.

Al-Kandari, who heads the Society of Sharia, or Islamic law, told Al-Watan daily the celebration contradicted with Islam because Christians believe Jesus was the son of God.

The decline in tolerance of other faiths comes as political Islam is sharply increasing its presence in mainstream politics across the region.

Kuwait University political science teacher Ahmed al-Baghdadi said posters expressing sentiments similar to Al-Kandari's appeared around campus for several days. "It is dangerous because it means that the extremist movement feels stronger than before ...maybe in the future they will call for closing down (non-Muslim) places of worship."

Senior Shiite scholar Mohammed Baqer al-Mohri issued a statement saying Muslims can "congratulate their brethren the Christians" on Christmas and "show joy" on the occasion.

"Let all Christians in the world know that all Muslims love Jesus ... and his mother Mary," just like the holy Quran tells us to, al-Mohri said.

The government is fighting extremism with a campaign to spread "moderation" especially among young men, many of whom have adopted fundamentalist Islam and taken up arms in Bosnia, Afghanistan and Iraq.

On Christmas Eve, Al-Watan columnist Nabil al-Fadhl urged officials leading the campaign to make a concrete gesture to Christians.

"It is a silly joke to try to preach moderation .... if you do nothing about those who fight Christmas and describe as infidel

[do the dhue]

I am sure that the Demorats would find 'Treason's Greetings' more fitting.

[Enterprise]

If Merry Christms is not correct how about "Burn in Hell."

[do the dhue]

I was at McDonalds and said Merry Christmas to the Olive skinned person and did not receive a Merry Christmas reply.

[Slings and Arrows]

So what's their position on saying "Happy Hannukah?" < /sarcasm>

[SIDENET]

LOL!

[do the dhue]

So what's their position on saying "Happy Hannukah?"

I think a loud suicidal bang would come after that.

[Enterprise]

Did you check your food for funny looking slimes and strange looking objects?

[Doctor13]

What's the matter with youse guys!

Islam is a religion of peace and if you don't believe me, I'll kill you!

[do the dhue]

Always do that, but I said it after I got my food.

[Wormwood]

I was at McDonalds and said Merry Christmas to the Olive skinned person and did not receive a Merry Christmas reply.

Did it ruin your Christmas?

[RightWhale]

Humbug! Yo! Moslems! Join the human race. Merry Christmas!

[Enterprise]

LOL - good thinking! And Merry Christmas!

[do the dhue]

[do the dhue]

nope, but i did wonder why we let people into our country who are not willing to assimilate.

[navyguy]

"It is dangerous because it means that the extremist movement feels stronger than before ...maybe in the future they will call for closing down (non-Muslim) places of worship."

Yeeeeaaaahhhhh.... they'll just 'close them down'...

Reality Check: They'll send suicide bombers into Christian places of worship. That's how they'll 'close them down'.

[phillyfanatic]

Or just go home to the Middle East where you can take on each other over sectarian problems. You do not belong in America. You have nothing to add to our nation. Nothing.

[do the dhue]

Couple of Armed Ushers - (preferably Marines) strategically placed in the Bell Tower will do the trick.

[Yosemitest]

I like your pics; great work.

But ponder this

[theDentist]

To those who oppose such a greeting: "We saved your ass. Deal with it."

[rawcatslyentist]

"fundamentalists like Mohammed al-Kandari began urging fellow Muslims not to extend the greeting to Christians they know. "

Well he's just following the commandments of his namesake. The only non dangerous slime is one that isn't a slime at allah.