Islamic institute warns against ‘Merry Christmas’ and ‘Happy Divali’ greetings

AN Islamic higher learning institute has warned the local Muslim community against using seasonal greetings such as "Merry Christmas" and "Happy Divali" with persons of different faiths.

A now deleted-release posted to the Jaamia Madinatul Uloom Institute of Higher Islamic and Secondary Education's Facebook page yesterday urged the community to sustain cordial relations with others without engaging in celebrations that contravene Islamic beliefs.

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It is impermissible for Muslims, it said, to greet Hindus with expressions such as "Happy Diwali" or Christians with "Merry Christmas", or to use any equivalent phrases. It is also impermissible for Muslim businesses to market or promote products bearing greetings related to such festivals.