Jaamia Madinatul Uloom Institute’s Warning Against Holiday Greetings Draws Backlash

Inter-Religious Organisation president Dr Ellis Harrison Burris urged religious leaders in Trinidad and Tobago to use courteous language and avoid discouraging respect for other faiths, after controversy over a Muslim institute warning followers against exchanging Christmas and Diwali greetings. Criminal Bar Association president Israel Khan also condemned the position, saying it clashes with the country’s constitutional protections and multi-faith traditions.

IRO head Dr Ellis Burris said a recent Islamic advisory telling Muslims not to use Christmas and Divali greetings should not cause division in Trinidad and Tobago, because different religions follow different rules. He said the guidance is an internal matter for Muslims and other faiths should understand it as a religious courtesy issue, not an attack.

The Darul Iftaa of Jaamia Madinatul Uloom said its warning against Muslims sending greetings like “Merry Christmas” and “Happy Divali” or joining other faiths’ celebrations was meant only as guidance for its students, parents and staff, not as an attack on other religions. After backlash, it said it respects religious freedom and peaceful coexistence in Trinidad and Tobago, while maintaining that Muslims should avoid participating in rituals that conflict with Islamic beliefs.

A deleted Facebook release from the Jaamia Madinatul Uloom Institute in Marabella warned Muslims against saying “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Divali” to people of other faiths, or promoting products with such greetings. The institute said doing so conflicts with Islamic belief and can endanger faith, while urging Muslims to maintain cordial relations without joining non-Islamic religious observances.