Every year, without fail, the same tired myth drags itself out of hibernation, fuelled by headlines like “Outrage as council ‘rebrands’ Christmas to be more inclusive” and “Fury as Christmas events ‘scrapped’ to avoid offending Muslims”.
Never mind that these stories are debunked within hours. Apparently some people genuinely think Muslims spend December plotting the downfall of baubles.
Right on cue, certain commentators, right wing tabloids and so called influencers (the ones who think cultural literacy is a brand of toothpaste) leap into action. Because why let facts ruin a perfectly good culture war fantasy?
So let’s set the record straight.
Again.
1. Muslims do not hate Christmas.
We don’t mind the lights, the music, the markets, the festive chaos or even George in the gym who starts playing Christmas songs as soon as Halloween is out of the way.
We actually enjoy the warmth, the friendliness and the kindness the season brings even from people who earlier fought someone for a parking space.
2. Muslims absolutely do not hate Jesus.
Far from it. Jesus (upon him be peace) known in Arabic as Isa, is one of the most revered Prophets in Islam. His birth, his miracles and his message are spoken of with deep respect in the Qur’an. Muslims believe he was born miraculously to Mary, who is honoured as one of the most pious and exalted women in history. In fact Mary has an entire chapter of the Qur’an named after her, something not found even in the Bible.
Islam teaches that Jesus was a sign of God’s mercy, a bringer of compassion and justice, and a Prophet whose life is held in profound esteem. So the idea that Muslims somehow dislike Christ could not be further from the truth.
So no we are not plotting to erase him from the calendar.
3. Opting out of commercial madness does not mean hating Christmas.
Some Muslims join in fully. Some don’t.
Some put up trees, exchange gifts and enjoy halal turkey and alcohol free Christmas pudding.
Some prefer something quieter and more reflective.
And in my case I have a grandson born on Christmas Day which means the 25th is less about some imaginary war on Christmas and more about Noahmas. Cake, wrapping paper explosions, excited squeals and a very happy little boy.
None of this means we secretly want to ban:
* Christmas trees
* Christmas lights
* Carol singers
* Nativity plays
* School concerts
Or the neighbour who turns their house into Blackpool Illuminations on a budget.
So why does this myth keep returning?
Because it serves a purpose. Some people need a villain, someone to blame, fear or shout about. Muslims become that target.
But what makes it even more persistent is how certain groups wrap culture, faith and national identity together and then claim any difference is a threat.
Look at the rallies planned by certain divisive individuals, where chants about Christian heritage, defending Britain and reclaiming traditions are mixed with anti Muslim sentiment. The message is clear. Britain must be protected from an imagined enemy, and Muslims are cast as that enemy each winter when the Christmas myths begin again.
By repeating the idea that Muslims are hostile to Christmas these narratives stoke a sense of siege. They create the false impression that our culture is under attack, that Christmas is being cancelled and that someone must be blamed. It is a powerful and convenient distraction.
It is far easier to shout that Muslims are cancelling Christmas than to engage with real issues affecting our country. Loneliness, poverty, people struggling through winter or the fact that commercialisation has smothered much of the season’s spiritual heart. Families up and down the country are also battling the pressure to keep up with the Joneses so their children don’t feel left out. The latest gadgets, computer games, phones, trainers and the endless stream of must-have gifts create a mountain of expectation that many simply cannot afford. For countless parents the real stress of Christmas is not the lights or the carols but the fear that their children will notice what they cannot provide.
Instead we get distraction and division. A ready made wedge.
And it works until you actually speak to Muslims and realise we are simply part of the same festive swirl, sometimes joining in, sometimes not, often juggling our own family celebrations with everyone else’s.
The truth?
Most of us are just trying to get through December. End of term chaos, Christmas nativities and school fairs, winter colds, work deadlines, Noahmas planning and of course the most pressing question of all:
Where on earth am I putting my Christmas tree this year?
Soulful Spaces 