'Muslims can enjoy Christmastime too'

Christmas is an important date on the calendar of social and political commentator and charity executive Mohammed Ansar, who lives with his family near Winchester.

And he is keen to encourage other Muslims to engage with seasonal activities.

“As someone who works with the Muslim community both locally and nationally, I’d like to encourage people to feel comfortable in getting more involved with festive activities,” says Mohammed, a chief executive for a charity which acts as an umbrella organisation for local Muslim groups.

“You don’t lose your own faith identity by joining in with the non-religious, cultural aspects of Christmas.”

Mohammed adds that for a lot of British people, the secular aspects of Christmas are a significant part of their day – the food and family time – and that Muslims can enjoy these along with everyone else.

With six children, including two who are grown up with children of their own, a big dinner is always central to Mohammed and his family’s Christmas.

And this year he and his wife will need an extra large turkey as they are hosting dinner for 25 people!

The meal will be for friends and family of a variety of faiths.

“Christmas is a time for families to get together and do things,” says Mohammed.

“I’m certainly not telling Muslims to celebrate Christmas but you can enjoy the food and the atmosphere.

“You can get Halal turkeys in Southampton and it’s becoming more accessible for Muslims who want to partake in the festivities,” he says.

He adds that because Muslim families tend to be large, a turkey is the ideal centre piece to a festive meal, as there are enough people to eat it!

“Because Muslim families are large, in the Christmas holidays there are lots of children around so it’s a real family time,” adds Mohammed, whose family enjoy going to the Christmas markets in Winchester and Southampton, ice skating, making ginger bread houses and playing board and computer games together over the school holidays.

For Mohammed, togetherness, spirituality and charitable giving represent the spirit of Christmas, rather than the commercial and over indulgent aspects.

“Rather than spending thousands of pounds on gifts, why not feed the poor or house the homeless at Christmas?” he asks.

Charitable giving is a key part of major Muslim festival, Eid-ul-Adha.

“Traditionally, a farmer sacrifices their best animal and keeps a third for their family, gives a third to their community and a third to the poor,” he explains.

“So Eid-ul-Adha is a huge time of charitable giving.”

Like Christmas, Eid-ul-Adha and Eid-ul-Fitr are both important times for family and community.

Mohammed likes to invite followers of other faiths to take part in Iftar – fast breaking – and Eid events.

“It’s a lovely way to reach out and share what we do,” he says.

“In a similar way, we don’t take part in the religious aspects of Christmas but we enjoy the secular festivities.”

Mohammed is keen for other families to take part in Christmas in a similar way, and join in with community festivities.

“Muslims should see the festive season as an opportunity to be outward looking and engage more,” he says.

“You can have a festive dinner, and enjoy the family and wider cultural aspects of Christmas, without joining in the worshipful activities.”