Irfan, thank you for a piece that strikes the right note for Christmas. You sound just like my Muslim friends here in Perth. While my Christian views are different in some respects, the agreements are greater.

Keith, the rosy colour of the message in Irfan’s article comes not from a pair of spectacles but from the same impulse that had Jesus tell us: “Love one another as I have loved you.” Let’s respond to him in the same spirit and put the theological differences aside, at least for Christmas.

Joy, peace and goodwill to all.

Irfan - admire your prolific articles and the humour that goes with them.

Crabby - it is good to know that a Christian can acklowledge the commonality between Muslims and Christians. I am always astounded at the hostility expressed by many of the self-proclaimed Christians on these forums.

True our similarities are far greater than our differences - however it is the differences that make life interesting. I can't imagine a world where everything was the same and everyone agreed all the time - actually I can; I think it is called heaven.

Peace

Trust you Sneeky
given that you mentioned the 'ham sandwich' saga and 'those who will dismiss' Irfans post, I guess you must be meaning 'me'.

I have no problem with Irfans clear expression of overlapping of cultures and traditions. That has never been my 'problem'.

The ham sandwich affair as Robert suggested is one of 'principle' rather than substance. When differing cultures overlap, only 3 things are possible, one must give way, or the other must, or they can be expressed separately. In the case of the ham sambo, it was decided by a minority culture that the prevailing one WILL give way (without any ifs or buts) and 'that' is what I and the other thousands of Hume shire residents were outraged by. The second most outrageous aspect of it is the trivialization by media personalities like John Fein (who being Jewish, and probably not a pork/ham eater) just could not see what the fuss was about.

Well based on the 'fuss' in the community, it WAS a big deal, because of the principle that minority cultures must respect the prevailing one.
Within that framework Irfans post makes complete sense.
It would stop making sense on the day he adds "And now lets 'tone down' Christmas" etc.. but he has never suggested such a thing (unlike some other Muslims) and therefore his contribution will go unchallenged by me and any reasonable person.

Keith does however point out an important issue for us, in that reducing God the Son to a 'mere prophet' is quite something. Tantamount to reducing Mohammed to a 'thief and warlord' and would be likely punishable by death in a place like Saudi Arabia.

But this is an issue which will always be the subject of faith, (the Lord Jesus being God incarnate, Son) and free will to believe or not believe.

You seem to demonstrate a very limited tolerance level toward Christians and a notable lack of sensitivity :) to such important parts of our lives. (sound like ur hearing an echo ? :)

So in conclusion, I welcome his post.

Irfan,

The qur'anic story is a nice gesture for Christmas and most appreciated (your fan club above loved it). Sooo very close but not quite the same...

Just to set the record straight - in the spirit of truth – perhaps you could have reported the real account from the people who where there?

For example Luke's account chapter 2:

30But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favour with God.

31You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.

32He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David,

33and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."

34"How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?"

35The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called[c] the Son of God.

36Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month.

37For nothing is impossible with God."

Some kind of prophet, eh? Could you spot the difference?

Too bad no one said that about your prophet.

God loves you and so do I.

I am praying that this Christmas will be a special for you and that the real Jesus will become your Lord and Saviour.

Then we can celebrate the real Christmas together.

Yes a great Australian story especially about the Australian 'thugby' jumper.{of course I follow Ozzie rules}
BUT as you said you see Jesus as the Son of Mary whereas He is the Son of God. He, this same Jesus, died for our sins as our Saviour.
Moslems do not see Jesus as the Christ, do not see Jesus as the Son of God, do not see or acknowledge Him as their Saviour. Nor do they acknowledge his ascension to the right hand of The Eternal with His new glorified human body.
So moslems do not see or worship the Christian Jesus.They only see the son of Mary, they only see a human prophet. They do not even see The Eternal - Jesus' Father - all they see is allah.
Righto! now you politically correct writers get me for being cruel, crude and insensitive!
I will admit that I am zealous for my Saviour and my God and I do not like to see Him maligned, that is have Him paganised-that's all. numbat

nice whitewashing of the town of bethlehem, irfan.. those fuzzy little suicide bombers all gathered round celebrating the birth of a man from the people they are sworn to commit genocide against.. christians have been leaving beit lekhem (it's original hebrew name) in vast numbers for a long time, because quite simply, the city is completely unliveable, and the muslim population is completely radicalised..

nice to see you taking a brave stance against those that would be racist towards you aswell, telling your mother and aunt to remove their headscarves.. that's far more insensitive than the vast majority of australians would ever be to them - and you weren't even in australia! am i supposed to feel guilty for being the same colour as those drunken rioters?

your articles all hint at the same - we're such a happy friendly little bunch, and you're all racist pigs who don't want to understand us.. i'm not saying you're not a happy, friendly bunch, it's the accusation that gets thrown on me that i object to..

that said, have a very merry christmas irfan.. my muslim friends all love the holiday too, mona who lives in the apartment next door makes beautiful trifle and shares it with everyone in our building.. it's the spirit of love and kindness that bring us all together on christmas day.. your point about the inherent cultural mixing that goes on in australia rings true.. i wouldn't have it any other way..