I only have one question. Why on earth does it take a doctorate degree holder from Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University and a lecturer from the University of Indonesia to answer the question as to whether or not Muslims can say "Merry Christmas"?!

FRANS HUNEKER

Ubud, Bali

There are so many religions in the world and it is not wise to say which one is the best. But it should be wise to measure any individual with their character and attitude and how they relate these toward harmonious living in the communities.

I'm a Muslim, but my closest friend is a Christian. And I once lived in the U.S. where I made friends with a Jew. As a matter of fact, I had a wonderful Jewish roommate. And one of my good friend is an atheist .... So What? We are all humans.

So, you can say Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy this religious celebration, and so on and so on. Common sense should be the measurement here to deal with global diversity, as that is what God has created humans with -- making us different from animals.

EL

Jakarta

What is not forbidden is allowed. The importance of an issue is proportional to the number of mentions it receives in The Holy Koran or Haddith. All things in Islam depend on the niat (intention).

By the above principles, it seems to me that this issue is not a major one for faithful Muslims who wish to convey good wishes to a Christian celebrating the birth of Prophet Isa.

The line to be drawn is clear as a person named Prophet Isa was born, as stated in the Koran. Clearly, a good Muslim cannot, in good faith, pass good wishes at some other times -- Easter is much more complicated as the Christian beliefs differ from what is written in the Koran.

Such is the tolerance of the majority of Indonesian Muslims, that Easter passes without discussions about the differences in belief. My personal view is that most Indonesians value tolerance and harmony.

Hence they have a desire to know if they can give a Christmas greeting without being contrary to their religion. That is, behind the question there is good will. In my opinion, acknowledging points of common belief can do no harm.

Indeed both giver and receiver of the greeting benefit, even with momentary human warmth resulting from the good will passed back and forth.

Regarding Christians knowledge of Islam, my belief is that neither Catholic nor Protestant church leadership encourage that Christians look into Islam, or indeed any other religion. That is natural in any human group.

However, on a larger scale, the world is not helped by an ignorance of Islam that is found in influential people, such as world leaders and opinion formers.

Also it is not one monolithic "thing" to be understood easily in a short time. There are basic large differences in religious practice and beliefs between, say, Saudi Wahhabis, Indonesian Sunnis, Nigerian Sunnis and Iranian Shia, more related to the cultural differences "hard wired" into the people.

ANDREW WATSON

Jakarta

As a Muslim I do not have any problem at all in wishing someone Merry Christmas. Why can't we? As far as I am concerned Christmas is celebrating the birth of Jesus which is also our second most beloved prophet.

SYAM

Jakarta

Do to others as you would want others to do to you. So, if a non-Muslim says "Happy Idul Fitri", you would appreciate it. Why should that be different to you greeting them on their special days?

It's about being courteous, it doesn't mean you are converting to their religion or believe what they believe. It is so sad this is even an issue you need to think about.

IAIN

Jakarta

This is indeed an issue that should be clarified by the Ulemas and experts of this area in this country, so that the same question will not come up again and again every year.

As a layman, I understand the hesitation Muslims have in wishing Merry Christmas because it somewhat touches the Tauhid side of religion which is very sensitive and also a principle.

Wishing "Merry Christmas" is considered by some as acknowledging that Jesus is God and not a prophet, as believed by Muslims. However, there is also some that are wishing it just as a courtesy and it has nothing to do with acknowledging the above.

There is one thing though that I would like to ask the writers, I stumbled across information that Dec. 25 is not really the date of birth of the Prophet Isa. If this is true, can we still wish it as if it were the celebration of the prophet that was born on that day?

Many of my friends and acquaintances are non-Muslims, and as a courtesy I usually send them best wishes on their important days. I believe that everything depends on niat (intention).

HILDS

Jakarta

We have to differentiate between greetings, wishing, saluting and cursing. When one says "Good morning" what does this mean? When one says "Happy birthday" what does it mean?

The Betawi people said: Ente jual anne beli! (You sell, I buy). If you sell anger people will buy with hatred; if you sell sympathy, people will buy with love. What you get is what you give away.

Nietzsche said, more or less: "I am afraid we can't get rid of God because we still believe in grammar"; I am asking everyone on earth to deploy reason, to use logic.

Islam, the religion of salam, the religion of peace is to shed love to the universe. I am a Muslim, so let us prove that we are the khalifah to shed love over the universe. Saying greetings, salutations, wishing and celebrating is only one way to shed love. The power of language strengthens human ties. After all we're just human.

HARYO

Jakarta

It was interesting to read the article. While I do not harbor any hatred for Christians as individuals I do not necessarily think that I should show solidarity with their false believes.

If I'm not mistaken the concept of X-mas originated somewhere in the middle ages or the 18th century and it has nothing to do with the birth of the prophet Jesus.

This should also give you some answers to your question why the prophet did not come across a situation of wishing someone "Merry Christmas".

Therefore, my advise to Muslims is that you respect your Christian colleagues for the human beings that they are but that does not require you to ratify their believes that are utterly false and have no solid basis.

FAZLY

Jakarta

This is a good article, and just to comment about the subject that all Muslims are prohibited from saying "Merry Christmas" to Christians. I am a Muslim and I have no issue with saying "Merry Christmas" to Christians. In addition to that we need to be aware that not all Muslims believe in the Hadith from Aisha.

MUHAMMED HUSSAIN

Jakarta

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