Ya Libnan

Cleric bids farewell to coexistence, says no gifts to Muslim kids on Christmas

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merry-christmas-lebanonMuslims were told  by a cleric in Sidon, in south Lebanon  that they must  understand that Christmas and New Year’s Eve are strictly Christian holidays and  urged Muslim parents to resist the temptations and pressures to buy their children Christmas gifts.

“Some Muslims make a mistake by erecting a Christmas tree in their homes and dressing up their children in ‘Santa Claus’ outfits,” Sheikh Hussam al-Ilani, the imam at Ghufran Mosque in Sidon, said in a Christmas day statement.

“They even take it further by visiting the toy store and buying gifts and asking the shop’s owner to send ‘Santa Claus’ to their homes to give the gifts to their children,” he added.

Those parents believe that celebrating Christmas is a way of achieving national unity, he added, but they are wrong.

“Christmas and New Year’s are for Christians and not Muslims,” Ilani insisted.

“This is not extremism. It’s what all Muslims and Christians must know and understand.”

Goodbye coexistence

An older  Muslim man from Sidon told Ya Libnan, “goodbye coexistence ….this is not the Lebanon I grew up in .”

“It took me years to find out that one of my next door neighbors was a Christian  and the other a Druze .  We were one big family .. we  grew up  together celebrated  all holidays together  the Adha , Ramadan, Easter , Christmas and New  Year.  We used to buy each other presents during these periods .”

“Lebanon  set an example for the world in coexistence and now look what this Sheikh is saying “, the man said adding ” it breaks my heart.”

He added :” I  do not pay any attention to these haters . I still buy my children and grand children presents  during all the holidays , because I want them to feel that we are one country and  one people …this is what coexistence means. ”

Merry Christmas and happy New Year to all  from Ya Libnan 

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64 responses to “Cleric bids farewell to coexistence, says no gifts to Muslim kids on Christmas”

  1. 5thDrawer Avatar
    5thDrawer

    Even some Christians would be happy if the kids didn’t expect a treasure-trove under a tree. :-)))
    Cheap bastards. :-)))))))

  2. arzatna1 Avatar
    arzatna1

    I personally think the Muslim Sheikh is wrong
    Sharing the joy of others is extremely important for national unity .
    If I was the Sheikh , I would have asked every kid at the mosque to bring a Christian friend to the mosque on Christmas and would have given each one a present
    If the aim of the Sheikh was to spread the teachings of Islam he failed badly today .

    1. Hannibal Avatar
      Hannibal

      Indeed arzatna but would like to stretch it even further with a message of unity to all mankind… This animal’s hatred has no boundaries as it spreads beyond the national borders.

  3. nagy_michael2 Avatar
    nagy_michael2

    I wish this Sheik attack ISIS when they attacked Christians instead. let the people do what they want. All our problems comes from religious figures and wish they mind their own damned business.

  4. Fauzia45 Avatar
    Fauzia45

    Forget this cleric ,ignore him !!Merry Christmas and Happy New Year To All ,Peace On Earth and Love To All!!!!

  5. sweetvirgo Avatar
    sweetvirgo

    Since when is New Years a christian holiday?? I thought everyone (regardless of their religion) celebrated the begining of the new year. This guy is an idiot. It’s people like him that are just wrong is this world.

    1. 5thDrawer Avatar
      5thDrawer

      He doesn’t like the ‘western’ calendar …. :-)))

      1. sweetvirgo Avatar
        sweetvirgo

        Kifak ya habibi??

        1. 5thDrawer Avatar
          5thDrawer

          Yah, the moon does affect things … especially drivers. But Lovers too. 😉
          :-))))
          Nevertheless, January 1st. is like Dec. 25th. A Hoiiday … :-)))

    2. Anti ISIS Avatar
      Anti ISIS

      Hey Sweets, hope all is well. This is what you call ignorance at its best. Merry Christmas to you and to all on Yalibnan. And a Happy and most prosperous new year.

      1. sweetvirgo Avatar
        sweetvirgo

        Hi Anti….sorry I just saw this message. Thank you for the warm wishes. I hope you had a wonder Christmas as well and I hope you have a terrific, successful and healthy new year :))

    3. Reasonableman Avatar
      Reasonableman

      Peace be upon you.

      New Year’s Day is observed on January 1, the first day of the year on the modern Gregorian calendar as well as the Julian calendar used in the Roman Empire since 45 BC.[1] Romans originally dedicated New Year’s Day to Janus, the god of gates, doors, and beginnings for whom the first month of the year (January) is named. Later, as a date in the Gregorian calendar of Christendom, New Year’s Day liturgically marked the Feast of the Circumcision of Christ, and is still observed as such in the Anglican Church and Lutheran Church.[2][3] In present day, with most countries now using the Gregorian calendar as their de facto calendar, New Year’s Day is probably the world’s most celebrated public holiday, often observed with fireworks at the stroke of midnight as the new year starts in each time zone.

      That is why muslims do not celebrate new years as it is a pagan celebration to a false god. Muslims worship allah almighty alone.

      In saying that there can still be coexistance and peace. A person shouldn’t have to say merry christmas or happy ramadan or happy eid for co existance. We all believe different things, its when we make up rumors are ignorant to facts, attack mentaly or physically a person because of there religon thats when you can say goodbye to coexistance.

      I have christian friends who don’t say happy eid and don’t expect me to say merry christmas and are closer to me then ones who expect me to say merry christmas because they THINK I expect them to say happy eid.

      1. 5thDrawer Avatar
        5thDrawer

        Thank you Reasonable, for using Wikipeadia to take all the fun out if it. :-))))
        Hope YOUR year is good, whichever century you are having it in. 😉

        1. Reasonableman Avatar
          Reasonableman

          http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2014/12/28/airasia-flight-indonesia-singapore-missing-transport-official

          Another missing plane

          1. 5thDrawer Avatar
            5thDrawer

            At least with this one they found some evidence and the bodies ….

        2. Hannibal Avatar
          Hannibal

          lol so witty…

        3. Reasonableman Avatar
          Reasonableman

          Hey you! I don’t care same same but different 🙂

          I wish you a prosperous life 🙂

          On a serious note 😛 you asked me if a how can a christian get justice from a muslim. I need some more info as christian and muslims beliefs are identical. What would be the crime commited against the christian?

      2. Hannibal Avatar
        Hannibal

        I say Happy Birthday to others despite the fact it is NOT MY birthday… The key here is that I show I am happy that you are celebrating YOUR 3iid and I want to share your happiness whether I am a coreligionist or not. Besides I will be damned if I do not share the tasty sweets ON THAT day… The food will spoil later… 😉

        1. Reasonableman Avatar
          Reasonableman

          Bad example since you openly admit to celebrating birthdays whilst there is no evidence jesus 3alayhisallam ever practiced this tradition nor christians in that era.

          I honestly thought I could write my opinion and walk away without debating. Let’s do a favour for the yalibnan readers and not let this topic drag on , if you want though we can debate via email. I read a recent post saying you were born a christian but don’t follow christianity so the outcome would be fruitless anyway.

          1. Hannibal Avatar
            Hannibal

            Regarding your last sentence Reasonable, I do not follow any but love to experience ALL religions. The reasons for not following are many… One of them is the inaccurate tales of the Old Testament which is repeated in the Koran. Let’s take the story of Joseph for instance and then after MANY generations of Jews slaves in Egypt and the Exodus under Moses. There is not even ONE shred of archeological evidence ANY of it happened… The Jews never stepped foot in Egypt and the Egyptians maintained good records.
            Here is where philosophically we split at a wide angle:
            You believe what’s in the Koran blindfoldedly which I cannot do as archeological records SHOULD HAVE proven the Koran (or the old testament) right. I am not an atheist though but do not subscribe to man made theological myths.
            If one is to believe in the myths and draw peace from it so be it as I would love to see you live in your comfort zone of “believing in non-proven tell-tales”… That being said I want to entertain you and say you are right the exact date of Jesus birth is unknown so where is the wrong in assigning a date to celebrate his birth and be happy regardless whether it is the EXACT date or not? If I am happy in this celebration so should you as you are accustomed to believing the stories of the Koran which are baseless.

          2. Reasonableman Avatar
            Reasonableman

            Ok you believe the stories of the koran and old testament are made up yet you love to “experience” ALL religions… doesn’t that make you “lost”?
            Using the phrase archeological proven after you just said you like to experience ALL religions makes it seem like your arguing with yourself and using a good argument just to hate on the “Koran”.

            Bud you say whats is the harm in attributing a day (any day) as jesus 3alayhisallam day of birth… well christianity and all its sects is an organised religion you cannot attribute and throw in any freaken day to something organised it just defeats the purpose.

            You don’t know on what basis I follow my religion like everything you just said you assume through your whims I blind follow.

            For the sake of the yalibnan users if you want to discuss further my email is jihadmerabi@gmail.com

          3. Hannibal Avatar
            Hannibal

            Lost? Not at all… Isn’t the Iliad a work of fiction? I read it and loved it.
            Hate is a very strong word… I mentioned all man made books and never singled out the Koran. As a matter of fact I like reading the Koran but don’t have to believe every word of it and it goes the same for the old testament. For instance, in Joshua 10:13 it says: “So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, till the nation avenged itself on its enemies, as it is written in the Book of Jashar. The sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day.”

            Hmmmmm…. Really? First the Sun is always still. So let’s assume Earth stopped. That alone would tear the planet into pieces. Do I have to believe it? NO
            Do I enjoy reading it? Definitely… It is as entertaining as a Star Trek episode.
            I shy away from organized religions including Christianity and Islam. However, I love the culture of Christianity AND Islam (especially when heads are not rolling or Crusaders swords are not slashing in the name of God)…
            I still prefer the Christmas tree over the black somber gloomy flags of ISIS… A Christmas tree is jolly and it makes me smile… It adds happiness and hope to the lives of kids. Compare that to ISIS flags which terrify kids.
            Let’s stay here Reasonable, as I really think the bloggers enjoy a nice debate… Where are you from Reasonable?

    4. Hind Abyad Avatar
      Hind Abyad

      Maybe he meant 2015 since Christ was born, first time i hear it’s a Christian holiday…

  6. Mehrdad Beiramzadeh Avatar
    Mehrdad Beiramzadeh

    lebanon was a lovely country back on the 50’s with 90% christians. and now? it’s a instable and divided land with 80% muslims.

    1. arzatna1 Avatar
      arzatna1

      Not true statistics
      Lebanon never had 90 % Christians in the 50’s nor 80 % muslims today .
      divided yes , unstable yes

      1. Hannibal Avatar
        Hannibal

        Well it depends when… It is a matter of time. 😛

  7. Hannibal Avatar
    Hannibal

    Two days ago, we celebrated Christmas night, moslem and christian families TOGETHER and exchanged gifts and I can hardly wait for the moslem holidays to share the sweets together.
    Besides why is it bad to celebrate the birth of Jesus? Isn’t He in the Quran? Isn’t he the One from “ruu7i el laahi tajalla?”
    “…And make mention of Mary in the Scripture, when she had withdrawn from her people to a chamber looking East, and had chosen seclusion from them. Then We sent unto her Our spirit and it assumed for her the likeness of a perfect man. She said: Lo! I seek refuge in the Beneficent One from thee, if thou art God-fearing. He said: I am only a messenger from thy Lord, that I may bestow on thee a faultless son. She said: How can I have a son when no mortal hath touched me, neither have I been unchaste? He said: So it will be. Thy Lord saith: It is easy for Me. And it will be that We may make of him a revelation for mankind and a mercy from Us, and it is a thing ordained. And she conceived him, and she withdrew with him to a far place. Surah 19:16-22….”

    1. Reasonableman Avatar
      Reasonableman

      Peace be unto you.

      Hannibal jesus and mary peace be upon them both are of high positions in muslim scripture. The reason why we don’t celebrate jesus 3alayhisallam birth is because he himself nor his deciples celebrated his birth. Also his birthday is not mentioned neither in the original bible or quran. And his birthday began being celebrated many many many years after his death. It was not custom for christians at his time to celebrate christmas thus ascribe the fatman hehe santa and reindeers to these celebrations.

      We are greatful for the day issa and all prophets peace be upon them were born and we may intend to fast to prove our greatfulness to allah all mighty.

      My neighbour just bought me some cakes and fruits 2days after christmas because she knows we don’t celebrate christmas and the wife and I intend to get her a gift not for christmas but as a kind gesture. 🙂 we can still co exist and have different beliefs

      1. btru2u Avatar
        btru2u

        well said Akhi

      2. 5thDrawer Avatar
        5thDrawer

        (See Hannibal on birthday wishes) … I can’t recall being the type who cared much to be ‘wished’ one except as a child perhaps … my own significance of existence wasn’t something I pushed for all the time … and surely not now at an ‘advanced’ age with few advantages … although some DO feel bad if no-one remembers. Oh well. (my poor wife … I always forgot …)
        If someone in future wants to celebrate my being born, because of any ‘philosophy’ I may have come up with, as noted in here, write down for a new book that it could be called ‘Drawer Day’ … maybe on the 5th of September which is colourful in some places as trees begin to change … and people can empty their drawers then of the ‘last year’s’ fashions … perhaps to collect in a colourful pile in each street before sending off to those with no clothes.
        (Shipping paid for by Oil Barons … An ‘Auto-Tax’ to be created as well.)

        P.S. Did you know a ‘fruit-cake’ can be a whole ‘meal-replacement’ … especially if it’s soaked in Rum.?? Yes … truth.

        1. Hannibal Avatar
          Hannibal

          Rum yummmm 😉

        2. Reasonableman Avatar
          Reasonableman

          Writing this in a rush….

          I openely celebrate another persons acheivements

  8. Hannibal Avatar
    Hannibal

    @yalibnan
    Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2015 YA Libnan staff…

    1. Hind Abyad Avatar
      Hind Abyad

      I wished Yalibnan (and ladies and gentlemen) a Merry Christmas, with a beautiful Arabic Christmas carol, it disappeared..so i join you in my best wishes for the New Year.. Inshallah..

      1. 5thDrawer Avatar
        5thDrawer

        We found it. 🙂

        1. Hind Abyad Avatar
          Hind Abyad

          No, you found one exclusively to you (are you Christian?).. sorry i can’t presume…:)

          1. 5thDrawer Avatar
            5thDrawer

            hehehehe … never presume anything, my Dear Lady. 🙂
            (closer investigation is often needed … 😉 )

          2. Hannibal Avatar
            Hannibal

            5th is like me… born into a religion but subscribes to none and to all. 😉
            We value all cultures that value humanity and all religions that coexist…
            Did I miss anything 5th? 😛

          3. Hind Abyad Avatar
            Hind Abyad

            It was for Yalibnan (..) i sent it to 5th.
            He wished he was on a beach with a polite thank you.
            So you are most right 🙂

          4. 5thDrawer Avatar
            5thDrawer

            Not much … the ladies, perhaps. ;-(?)

          5. Patience2 Avatar
            Patience2

            And the libations.

  9. Hannibal Avatar
    Hannibal

    Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2015 to ALL those who post here, friends and foes alike, people whom we agree with, and those we don’t see eye to eye with.

    Merry Christmas Wargame despite the fact you do not like me saying it to you and the fact that I won’t get a greeting back from you… 😉

    Goodwill to ALL mankind and peace on earth.

    1. 5thDrawer Avatar
      5thDrawer

      Thank you Hannibal … Best wishes for you and your kin.

    2. sweetvirgo Avatar
      sweetvirgo

      What a warm greeting ;))) Merry Christmas and I hope you have a wonderful New Year full of happiness, health and success.

  10. Andre Avatar
    Andre

    Ahh, well said you stupid cleric. Keep teaching the essence of tolerance, acceptance and love…as long they’re like us!

    Definition of Coexist: LEBANON!

  11. Maborlz Ez-Hari Avatar
    Maborlz Ez-Hari

    Christmas isn’t for everyone and neither is Ramadan, but pointing this out makes one an asshole. So to all who are confused and offended go with your instincts if you want to wish a merry Christmas to non christians it’s no sin to do so, thats why he is the ‘The King of kings’. Merry Christmas everyone and God bless.

  12. Hind Abyad Avatar
    Hind Abyad

    Santa trumps Islamic State in Baghdad..
    http://linkis.com/www.al-monitor.com/p/yurVc

    1. 5thDrawer Avatar
      5thDrawer

      Yah … liked the ‘sentiments’ …

      “In a city like our city, you need to live for the moment,” said Mahmoud Musawi, a father taking pictures of his son Adam in front of the tree. In Musawi’s eyes, “There’s nothing that guarantees I’ll be here next year to add color to the life of my son, so I want to live it to the maximum.”

      1. Hind Abyad Avatar
        Hind Abyad

        C’est la vérité..

  13. Hisham Abukalam Avatar
    Hisham Abukalam

    Why give this man the Oxygen of publicity? Just ignore everything he says and write to the authority who pays his salary asking them to fire him. Simple

    1. 5thDrawer Avatar
      5thDrawer

      Stupidity sells newspapers … 😉

  14. Hisham Abukalam Avatar
    Hisham Abukalam

    We keep getting these men saying foolish things. But most of them are uneducated. But, why or why do we hear about them. Let them speak to the wall.

  15. Hind Abyad Avatar
    Hind Abyad

    Moslem and Christians celebrate Christmas in Gaza..

    http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2014/12/christmas-gaza-muslims-christians-celebrate-remember-war.html?utm_source=Al-Monitor+Newsletter+%5BEnglish%5D&

    1. Countessa di Alba Avatar
      Countessa di Alba

      Today, Christians comprise less than 1% in the Gaza Strip

      1. Hind Abyad Avatar
        Hind Abyad

        Oh, leave me alone doron, thanks for your good news, anything that’s good right makes Israeli MAD.
        In 1948 Christians were 23% of the population, now they’re 1.% point something.. amazing isn’t it?.
        Palestinians don’t scribble Jesus mother is a whore on Monasteries walls

        1. Countessa di Alba Avatar
          Countessa di Alba

          https://www.youtube.com/embed/RtgbvotqVFE?rel=0

          1. Hind Abyad Avatar
            Hind Abyad

            Libya? I don’t know Libya, Christians were born in the Levant, what has British war victims have to do with Palestinians celebrating Christmas??

          2. Countessa di Alba Avatar
            Countessa di Alba

            Don’t play with words Falsetina-falsetinians http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2387087

          3. Countessa di Alba Avatar
            Countessa di Alba

            Jews are 0 percent of the population of Gaza

    2. 5thDrawer Avatar
      5thDrawer

      As do the fishies in Madrid …
      http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2014/12/12/do-fish-know-its-christmas

      1. Hind Abyad Avatar
        Hind Abyad

        This is tasteless and disrespectful it shows you have no deep knowledge of the Middle East. Sorry.:)

        1. 5thDrawer Avatar
          5thDrawer

          Oh, I thought the original story of the Cleric’s message was tasteless enough. And some people tried to soften it all with the ‘good wishes’ … as was right to do, without wanting to totally bomb the idiot.
          But now this devolves into another ‘history-mud-slinging’ event, so I thought I’d throw in another aberration of how people ‘celebrate’ those religiosity moments in other lands. One never knows, after all, how the fish talk to God. :-)))

          1. Hind Abyad Avatar
            Hind Abyad

            I don’t follow you..have no idea what you’re talking about..cleric? I tough you were telling me about my article Up there; “Christian and Moslems celebrate Christmas in Gaza”.. it was very touching they have lived in hell of Gaza war, then comes doron-Countessa di Alba harassing.. then you call them fish..

          2. 5thDrawer Avatar
            5thDrawer

            That article was good. Yes.

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