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Work Christmas Cards - Muslim Colleague |
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#26 |
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 376
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I'd get a nice card with a wintery scene on the front and simply write a "best wishes" inside. Not left out and nothing to be offended about.
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#27 |
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Join Date: Jan 2006
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Quote:
Hi DS
![]() I am bringing in christmas cards for my work colleagues tomorrow, but I have a Muslim colleague (who I'm friends with) but I know she doesnt celebrate christmas. If I give her a card (they all have a centre message of "merry christmas" is that offensive?) Because I don't want to NOT give her a christmas card and have her feel left out Thanks |
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#28 |
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Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Brackley, UK
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Would you have the same concern if they were atheist? Despite what the tabloid press likes to have us believe many Muslims celebrate Christmas.
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#29 |
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Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 12,662
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There are plenty of 'Christmas' cards available with no Christian symbolism and which are blank inside for you to write your own message. The charity shops usually have agood selection of these and you might also find them in a post office. Many cards simply have 'seasonal greetings' inside, so it's extremely easy to find cards which won't offend anyone.
^^^^ this |
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#30 |
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Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Cornwall (at last!)
Posts: 5,641
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I think it's us that is more sensitive about it.
I have worked with people of different faiths in the past. They recognise that Christmas is a UK national holiday and enjoy the festivities - just in their way. I have sent, and received Christmas cards to and from Muslims, Hindi etc. In a reciprocal and welcome gesture Muslim colleagues in he past have sent Eid cards and brought in some spectacular food to celebrate the end of Ramadan. If, however you feel the Christmas message is TOO strong don't get an overtly religious card, just one that says season greetings. |
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#31 |
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Join Date: Jan 2014
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I'd go with the option of not writing Christmas cards and instead making a donation to a reputable charity, or buying some lunch for a couple of homeless people. Make it clear you've done this. You'll be helping the environment, helping the needy, no envelopes to write, and nobody to be offended.
Or if you really MUST write cards go with a seasonal card or happy holidays type thing rather than strong Christian message. You could also bake some tasty treats (include some vegan and gluten free and nut allergy friendly) and take them in instead. |
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#32 |
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Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: South Wales
Posts: 5,866
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Surely if this colleague is the nicest, sweetest person you'll ever meet, you actually know them, so you should already know the answer to your question.
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#33 |
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Join Date: Aug 2010
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Exactly. So getting a card for a Muslim shouldn't be a problem.
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#34 |
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 3,282
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Talk about over complicating things. She's a work colleague - just ask her!
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#35 |
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Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,634
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I've seen a Muslim colleague offended by a card where the sender crossed out "Merry Christmas" and replaced it with "Happy Holidays". It's a minefield OP.
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#36 |
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Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,721
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I found a card for my colleague that said "let it snow" on the front and on the inside, crossed out Christmas and wrote day off above it. I knew she would find it funny.
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#37 |
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Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Somewhere over the rainbow
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They do think that. Most of them also think that they are praying to the same God. They just think that Jews and Christians are doing it a bit wrong.
It's generally only the fundamentalists on both sides who dislike the idea of 'sharing' their sky fairy. The only difference is, we don't believe he was the son of of God, but a prophet of Allah. To answer the Op's question, I'd feel slightly peeved if I was left out in the Christmas cards giving. I've received gifts and cards and given them out too. I'm sure she wouldn't want to feel singled out. |
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#38 |
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Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 12,020
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If you look at most of the cards on offer these days, they have all manner of pictures depicting anything but religion, but a large percentage still have "Merry/Happy Christmas" on the inside. Im sure many millions have disassociated that phrase with religion, it doesn't even cross my mind when Im handing cards out to colleagues of work who are from varied religious backgrounds. Iv never had any issues arising from it.
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#39 |
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Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 1,032
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Quote:
Hi DS
![]() I am bringing in christmas cards for my work colleagues tomorrow, but I have a Muslim colleague (who I'm friends with) but I know she doesnt celebrate christmas. If I give her a card (they all have a centre message of "merry christmas" is that offensive?) Because I don't want to NOT give her a christmas card and have her feel left out Thanks ****ing 'American' English has a lot to answer for. |
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#40 |
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Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,905
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Basically most People who are of muslim faith aren't offended and accept our christmas festivities it's the bloody councils of this country making a mountain out of a mole hill and causing all this stupidness.
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#41 |
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Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 288
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Quote:
Basically most People who are of muslim faith aren't offended and accept our christmas festivities it's the bloody councils of this country making a mountain out of a mole hill and causing all this stupidness.
If you want to give a card, give a card.
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#42 |
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Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 209
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Don't overthink it. In the UK, a greetings card is a gesture of goodwill - regardless of the religion of the recipient. If you're concerned about it 'feeling' like a big deal then just hand her card out as part of the stack as you're going around the office so it just becomes an inclusive gesture in the workplace.
EVERYONE has the capacity to feel excluded but very few people would take offence to an intentionally nice gesture. If you took in a Christmas cake/chocolates for your colleagues, you wouldn't tell your Muslim colleague not to eat them as the holiday doesn't apply to them. You'd leave them in the kitchen with a nice note wishing everyone well and let them help themselves. In the unlikely event she brings up that she doesn't celebrate Christmas then just make light of it with a jovial "It also doubles as a drinks coaster" (or similar) and in the EXTREMELY unlikely event she takes offence then just say you wasn't sure but didn't want to leave anyone out. Chances are she'll smile, say thank you, put your card on her desk (out of politeness if nothing else) and take your nice gesture as it was intended. Worst case scenario is that she bins it after you've gone home. And then you know for next year. Never fear being nice to nice people OP. It isn't about what you say/do but the sentiment behind it. ![]() Ultimately, people need to start realising the difference and just get on with getting along rather than looking for offenders/offendees to flag up for maximum virtue-signal points.
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#43 |
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Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 209
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Quote:
Basically most People who are of muslim faith aren't offended and accept our christmas festivities it's the bloody councils of this country making a mountain out of a mole hill and causing all this stupidness.
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#44 |
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Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Ireland ♀
Posts: 5,044
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Talk about over complicating things. She's a work colleague - just ask her!
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#45 |
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Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,073
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Quote:
Basically most People who are of muslim faith aren't offended and accept our christmas festivities it's the bloody councils of this country making a mountain out of a mole hill and causing all this stupidness.
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#46 |
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Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: At college, in L.A.'s office
Posts: 54,214
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I have an Indian friend and herself and her family are all Hindu. They celebrate Diwali and all those festivals but they also celebrate Christmas and send Christmas cards and gifts. I assume they have a Christmas tree as well
When I was in school there were some Muslim and Hindu students in my year and they were fine with Christmas. They took an interest in it and I seem to remember one of them even went to our Christmas carol service, maybe out of curiosity to see what it was all about It was a Catholic school but the teachers welcomed them and often talked to them about their countries and cultures. This was in Ireland btw.
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#47 |
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Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Edinburgh
Posts: 8,946
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I have friends in Turkey who are Muslim - they send us a Xmas card and we send them one. No one takes offence. We were also invited to join them for Bairam, which is a Muslim festival for families.
SWMBO and I are atheist, and don't care what religion people observe, so long as they don't try to convert us. And our sending of Xmas cards is more about Santa Claus than whatsis name allegedly being born. |
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#48 |
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Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 8
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Oh dear... All that angst over a card. Before I retired I gave Muslim friends at work a card along with everyone else. There was no offence meant or taken. After all, the one's with children at school will have had their children attending Christmas parties and concerts . I used to buy a selection box for a Muslim colleague's child and this was never a problem. At Eid, she would bring in a box of biscuits and Asian sweets.
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#49 |
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Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 51
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Quote:
Muslim colleagues i work with, enjoy the family get togethers, gifts, trees etc & attend the work Christmas Party.
One told me that they believeJesus was a prophet, and have no real issue in people celebrating his birth, Don't send cards though. Only because we're to mean lol. Seeing its it work this can be tricky. You do hear/ read about Christians offering to pray for other faiths or none and getting sacked over it. |
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If you want to give a card, give a card.

When I was in school there were some Muslim and Hindu students in my year and they were fine with Christmas. They took an interest in it and I seem to remember one of them even went to our Christmas carol service, maybe out of curiosity to see what it was all about