HOUSTON – By way of faith tradition, Muslims have always rightfully claimed a natural connection to Christians, especially as it pertains to their love and respect for Jesus and his virgin mother Mary.

To anyone familiar with the Islamic teaching of Jesus’ birth, prophetic mission and predetermined role of defeating the Antichrist, as well as the high status of his blessed mother, honoring this mother and son duo is without question.

However, many Christians aren’t so well versed in the Muslim view of Jesus and Mary, and, even if they are, they might reject at least part of it outright.

With that in mind, is it worthwhile for American Muslims to reach out to their Christian neighbors during the Christmas season?

Some Muslims and Christians say definitely yes, arguing that demonstrating common ground and belief between the world’s two major faiths can only benefit Muslims at a time when many of them are demonized, or at the least distrusted, because of their Islamic beliefs. Others are more conflicted.

Perhaps the most notable such outreach this year is “The Muslim Christmas Song,” a song – presented in English and in Arabic – to the tune of “Deck the Halls,” a classic and easily recognizable holiday carol popular in the United States.

“The Muslim Christmas Song” was created by Raef Haggag, a Muslim singer-songwriter of Egyptian descent who was born in Washington, D.C.

Haggag’s version aims to create a bridge between Islam and Christianity, not only with the use of the beloved Christmas song, but with lyrics like “Upon Muhammad peace and blessings,” “Peace upon the son of Mary, Jesus sent with love and mercy.”

Building Bridges

Gada Redwan of Houston has mixed feelings about the song.

“It was a good attempt and I like the message of the song, but I just don’t feel like it was necessary to take on that tune,” she told AboutIslam.net, referencing “Deck the Halls.” “If he had created his own tune and given the same message that would have been better.”

Rebecca Bivens, a Houston Christian, said she “loved” Haggag’s song.

“I was very impressed and touched by it,” she said. “It’s always good to see the good side of Islam because Muslims get such a bad rap because all we see on the news all the time are the extremists.”

Bivens said Christians would be well served to remember that there are Christian extremists in their midst, as well, and wouldn’t want to be associated with them, just as Muslims don’t.

“Americans tend to forget that we (Christians) have extremists who spread hate in the name of God. All religions do,” she said.

Like Haggag, other influential Muslims have encouraged similar outreach.

The creators of Noor Kids, a company which creates and distributes Islamic books for children, posted a blog and video on social media.

In it, Muslim parents are encouraged to help their children bake cookies for Christian neighbors during the holiday season and deliver them along with a pre-created holiday card explaining the role Jesus and Mary play in Islam.

The argument is twofold; that by doing this, it helps Muslim children understand that we can love and honor Jesus even though we don’t celebrate Christmas, and it also serves to “build a spirit of building a relationship and sharing our beliefs with our neighbors.

Jesus & Muslims

At a point in time when many are unsure or unaware of Islam, communicating the importance of Prophet Jesus (AS) in Islamic tradition is valuable.

Redwan understands the appeal of baking and passing out cookies to neighbors. In fact, she did just that this year in her Houston neighborhood along with her two sons. However, she’s not so sure talking about her faith as she goes door-to-door is really her style.

“(Giving the cookies) shows our neighbors that even though we don’t celebrate Christmas we know that they do and we respect that,” Redwan said.

But she made clear that, for her, baking and religion doesn’t mix. She said it is a matter of putting herself in her neighbors’ shoes.

“If someone came to me during Ramadan and during `Eid and wanted to explain Christianity to me I would take it a bit offensively and I wouldn’t be comfortable,” she said. “I don’t feel like it’s the time for that.”

Outreach

Bivens was a little more accepting of this type of outreach, saying that keeping religion underwraps was something more practiced by an older generation.

“(They had more of an attitude of) let them keep to themselves and we’ll keep to ourselves,” she said.

Redwan said she has no problem with talking to others about Islam or the tenets of the faith, as “The Muslim Christmas Song” and the Noor Kids activity do, as long as it doesn’t impede on others’ holiday time.

Not only might some people resent the interruption, she pointed out that some Christians don’t focus so much on the spiritual side of the holiday and won’t be reception to talking about any religion, particularly one that’s foreign to them.

“The way the religion is being looked at nowadays, it is good to try to bring some positive light to it, and it is a good idea to sort of explain the roots of our belief because most people only know what they hear in the news,” she said.

“Also a lot just celebrate Christmas as a secular holiday.”

Rebekah Miller, a lifelong Houstonian and a Christian, said promoting understanding between religions can only be a good thing, but she said in order for it to be effective, people need to be willing to listen.

To boost the chances of that happening, she said those looking to reach out must be sensitive about how and when to approach someone.

“Outreach is important, but it has to be the right time, like it shouldn’t be on Christmas day, and I know I wouldn’t want to be preached to about the Quran,” she said.

Miller said she liked the idea of baking cooking and presenting them with the suggested holiday card, which offers some information about Muslims’ views about Jesus.

“People should respect others’ religions, so it doesn’t hurt to tell people about that because a lot of people are misinformed,” she said.

“Plus, if people are truly Christian then we should honor our neighbors and love them. If you really want to live a Godly life then you really wouldn’t want to turn your neighbor away no matter their religion.”

Bivens agreed that many non-Muslims don’t have a basic understanding of Islam’s tenets. She guessed many would be happily surprised to know of the esteem in which Muslims hold Jesus and his mother.

“I loved learning that,” she said. “Outreach like that can only do good.”