Christmas can be somewhat problematic for those who are not in the estimated 246 million Christians living in the United States. But for some faiths, the season brings reminders of their own traditions.
Christmas and other faiths —
Christmas can be somewhat problematic for those who are not in the estimated 246 million Christians living in the United States. But for some faiths, the season brings reminders of their own traditions.
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Imam Mohamed Magid, the executive director at the All Dulles Area Muslim Society, preached about Jesus at Friday prayers. "We live in a country with a majority of Christians, where Christmas is a major holiday... It's a reminder we do believe in Jesus," Magid said. "Jesus' position in Islam is one of the highest prophets in Islam," he said, adding Muslims view Jesus as a prophet on par with Abraham, Moses, Noah and Muhammad.
Christmas for Muslims —
Imam Mohamed Magid, the executive director at the All Dulles Area Muslim Society, preached about Jesus at Friday prayers. "We live in a country with a majority of Christians, where Christmas is a major holiday... It's a reminder we do believe in Jesus," Magid said. "Jesus' position in Islam is one of the highest prophets in Islam," he said, adding Muslims view Jesus as a prophet on par with Abraham, Moses, Noah and Muhammad.
Magid said Muslims believe many of the same things about Jesus that Christians do: Jesus was born of the virgin Mary, he lived a sinless life, he raised the dead, and he preformed miracles. Magid also said many Muslim scholars believe that Jesus will one day return to the earth.
Christmas for Muslims —
Magid said Muslims believe many of the same things about Jesus that Christians do: Jesus was born of the virgin Mary, he lived a sinless life, he raised the dead, and he preformed miracles. Magid also said many Muslim scholars believe that Jesus will one day return to the earth.
Unlike other faiths, Hindus have no set day for communal worship. Christmas will be busier at temples this year because of the three-day weekend, Uma Mysorekar, president of the Hindu Temple Society of North America, guessed.
Christmas for Hindus —
Unlike other faiths, Hindus have no set day for communal worship. Christmas will be busier at temples this year because of the three-day weekend, Uma Mysorekar, president of the Hindu Temple Society of North America, guessed.
"Apart from the religious aspect of it -- the concept, theme of Christmas -- I think it's very much the same all over," Mysorekar said. "You know the Hindu festival of Diwali, it is more or less the same, where we give gifts and we meet with friends."
Christmas for Hindus —
"Apart from the religious aspect of it -- the concept, theme of Christmas -- I think it's very much the same all over," Mysorekar said. "You know the Hindu festival of Diwali, it is more or less the same, where we give gifts and we meet with friends."
At the Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery three hours north of San Francisco, there is a small Christmas tree set up near the statue of the Buddha.
Christmas for Buddhists —
At the Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery three hours north of San Francisco, there is a small Christmas tree set up near the statue of the Buddha.
Every half moon, about once a week, Buddhist monks head into town for alms rounds to collect donations. The new moon this week falls on Christmas Eve. "Everyone we see is going to be wishing us a Merry Christmas, and we'll be doing likewise," Ajhan Yatiko, a monk in residence, said
Christmas for Buddhists —
Every half moon, about once a week, Buddhist monks head into town for alms rounds to collect donations. The new moon this week falls on Christmas Eve. "Everyone we see is going to be wishing us a Merry Christmas, and we'll be doing likewise," Ajhan Yatiko, a monk in residence, said
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