religion

[wendilla]

in algiers is there belief the same as our god and would it be appropriate to send a xmas card over the net.? I dont want to offend as i dont think they celebrate like our xmas in uk .thanks for any replies or any info.

[waimarie]

My experience with Moslem friends is they accept and even welcome a Christmas card but always ensure it is of the non-religious variety They seem to particularly like the ones with plenty of snow, toboggans etc!!!

If it is to an acquaintance or friend they should know your gesture is meant in friendship, and there's not enough of that around these days!!

[Grunty]

Would you be offended to receive a Diwali card or a Bar Mitzvah invitation? Of course not. Sometimes I wonder how people can believe that their God can be so intolerant of others.

Incidentally, Moslems do believe in Jesus. The difference is that they believe that He was a prophet, and Christians believe that He was the son of God.

[charliebaps]

I agree with waimarie. A christmas card depicting a wintery scene is lovely to recieve when you live in a hot country.

Also the sentiments inside the card at chritmas can be of friendship so I'm sure they would appreciate it.

Everyone loves receiving post that's not a bill!!

[funnywebsite]

Just say Seasonal Greetings instead of Happy Christmas, maybe!

[Tatty Rollox]

Algiers hot? Many a time I have driven from the Sahara over the Atlas mountains and into Algiers where it was covered with snow and perishing cold. The main roads on top of the Atlas often have a foot or so of snow. On a clear day there are vantage points where (standing in snow!) you can see the sun and Sahara on one side and then turn round and see the snow and the Med on the other. Most spectacular.

[Octavius]

Islam is Algeria's official religion and the vast majority of Algerians are Muslim. Since the departure of the French (1962), Christianity is a peripheral religion.

I think sending 'seasons greetings' rather than CHRISTmas may be the best intention, if you are really unsure.

[wendilla]

thank you all for your replies. no i wouldnt be offended to receive cards from another faith.I just did not want to send anything and offend anyone thanks to all for your interesting comments

[Octavius]

But I think the point is more about a Christmas card per se. If you received a "Happy Ramadan Card" for instance, you may find this a bit odd as you personally may not follow or observe Ramadan as a time of prayer, fasting, and charity.

I don't know if it is a custom, but lets just say, they may send you a card reminding you that this is their month of Ramadan and offer a greeting of the season, it wouldn't appear so odd to you as a Happy Ramadan.

[wendilla]

yes thanks again i understand what you are telling me.It is so easy to get in trouble over religion and I did not want that to happen thanks again

[mightyWBA]

I am an atheist but receive lots of Christmas cards.They don't offend me at all.

If you are wishing somebody a "Merry Christmas"surely you are only extending a greeting from a religious festival that exists for many people.Therefore recipients do not necessarily have to believe in it.

Anyone taking offence must be fairly narrow minded.

[Octavius]

No it isn't about causing offence, it is just recognising the fact that telling someone who doesn't (possibly) have or recognise a 'Christmas' to have a happy one might be a bit pointless, but sending seasons greetings is a nice way of keeping in touch at a festive time of year.

[wendilla]

to octavius thanks for your reply again .i understand your comments but dont you think that in this world today some people take offence at the least little thing and this is what causes an awful lot of the trouble mostly everywhere.i just want to send a xmas greeting as an acquaintance of friendship and as waimarie said there is not enough of that thanks again to you and everyone for your replies which were most helpful.

[kepla]

Several of my friends follow Islam and are more than happy to join in the general feeling of bonhommie during the Christmas season. What I find interesting is that you obviously wish to be very carefull not to offend Muslims with an inappropriate Christmas card, but insist on offending true Christians by removing the 'Christ' from 'Christmas' and replacing it with an 'X'. Howver, I would never be one to suggest that you force Christian ideals onto your Muslim friends, so why not wish them happy Chanukah ?

[wendilla]

please please i dont want to offend anyone my faith or any other

[oakleydoaky]

my opinion is that very few people are offended by very few things! it's tabloid jounalism and jobsworths who work for councils that make people think they may offend.

as far as islam is concerned...i am a committed christian with some muslim friends....they just think this so called christian country is rather pathetic for not wishing to celebrate it's faith and culture. they wouldn't dream of stopping what they do because it is so important to them.

we really should do likewise and enjoy our culture and stop worrying about 'other people' because they probably couldn't care less!