When I was growing up, we always waited until after my brother's birthday, on Dec 3, to start decorating for Christmas. Here in Abu Dhabi, they wait until after their country's birthday to start their decorating as well. That's right...they decorate for Christmas here. They have Santa and a lot of the little kids lining up to see him are wearing dishdashes. Lets just hope Santa doesn't give them a teddy named Mohammed.
One of the biggest surprises I had when I got to Abu Dhabi was how much Christmas decorating is done here. This is a place where my Bible was confiscated at customs so I expected there to be a total ban of the holiday.
Boy was I wrong. The malls and hotels are decorated as much or more than they are at home.
If you think about it, there are many things about Christmas that Arabs love....
Shopping
Gaudy gold stuff draped over everything (tinsel)
clashing color schemes (red/green)
Workers that do everything for you (elves)
Things that go fast (reindeer)
Guys with beards (Santa)
Guys with beards and camels (wise men)
Jesus (he is one of their prophets)
You see, Muslims have no problem with Jesus, just with Christians.
You see, Muslims have no problem with Jesus, just with Christians.
Happy Birthday Chuck....may your Ags always win and your girls only date Eagle Scouts.....
love ya...now I've gotta go and put up my tree
2 comments:
ahhh hope all is well aunt juli.
aw there's nothing like an abu dhabi christmas!
makes me want to go back next year...I really need a new burka for the wardrobe
katie
Post a Comment