Merry Christmas
Sometimes I have a hard time figuring people out. Quite a few US bloggers have written about the tendency to "de-Christianise" Christmas by saying "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas". I can't understand that. What's the big deal with saying "Merry Christmas"?
After all, our Prime Minister (Muslim, need I say) has sent out Christmas cards to 1,500 pastors and Christian leaders all over the country.
This is what he [the PM] has to say:With best wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2004. During this festive season, let us continue to be good neighbours and friends.
Let us also strive to make Malaysia a kinder, more tolerant and better home for all of us.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you and members of your church for your kind prayers and good wishes. Please pass on my gratitude and appreciation to your congregation.
See? He even says "Merry Christmas"!
In Malaysia it is somehow customary for friends and relatives to visit during festivals and religious holidays, and celebrate the occasion together. This has started the "rumah terbuka" (literally, "open house") concept where the host will prepare some food or snacks and serve drinks to visitors. Some government departments hold massive "open house" gatherings at hotels or town halls. Anybody is welcome. It's kind of like, "Any excuse to party!" you know? ;)
I suppose from a non-Malaysian viewpoint it looks pretty unusual. I have yet to meet a Malaysian who agonises over whether to wish someone "Merry Christmas", "Happy Deepavali" (Hindu festival), or "Selamat Hari Raya" (Eid al-Fitr, Muslim festival). Although we generally tend to wish those who are actually celebrating the various religious holidays, sometimes we also wish each other in a spirit of fun, since these are all official public holidays and we get the day off work. It's like, "Oh, enjoy your Christmas break!", you know?
And for anybody who's wondering about religious freedom in this country, I'd point you to this document. It's a delicate balance, actually, not to step on one another's toes, when you consider we're a multi-racial, multi-religious country (never mind that the official national religion is Islam). Somehow we manage it and have yet to irretrievably offend each other. *grin*
On that note I wish all my readers a very Merry Christmas. I'll be back home for a few days and doubt I'll get a chance to blog then. Catch ya'll on the 28th!