CAIRO – Spreading joy among the needy, a Londoner Muslim has decided to spend a very different Christmas by giving gifts to the homeless people in London who did not expect a Muslim Santa Claus in 2016.

“I think that a lot of people think because Muslims don’t celebrate Christmas that we don’t accept it when people celebrate Christmas,” wrote Nubaid Haroon in an email to TakePart.

“But in reality my family give chocolates and food to neighbors/friends regardless of their race/religion. It’s just about being one with the community.”

The unexpected visits were given to show the true tenets of Islam as a religion of compassion and mercy.

By helping the homeless to celebrate a different Christmas, Haroon said his goal was to challenge stereotypes about Muslims, and spread a little Christmas cheer at the same time.

Christmas is the main festival on the Christian calendar. Its celebrations reach its peak at 12:00 PM on December 24 of every year.

Muslims believe in Jesus as one of the great Prophets of God and that he is the son of Mary but not the Son of God. He was conceived and born miraculously.

In the Noble Qur’an, Jesus is called “Isa”. He is also known as Al-Masih (the Christ) and Ibn Maryam (Son of Mary).