I find it irritating when a friend posted a tweet on Twitter saying: “Happy Ied-al-Adha to those who celebrate it”. I would prefer the italic line dropped altogether. Why can’t we all, regardless of our different faiths and religions, celebrate holidays together?
Of course religious holidays are meant to commemorate a sacred event for a particular faith, but there are always universal values involved in all of them. In Eid-al-Adha, for instance, we sacrifice cows and goats and donate their meat for the less fortunate to eat. Now, is there a religion in the world that says giving to the poor is not a noble thing to do? I would be surprised.
Despite being a Catholic, for almost all my life I have always celebrated other religions’ holidays to the extent that is feasible. On Eid-al-Fitr, on my family’s the dinner table there is always ketupats, chicken opor, rendang, and other sorts Eid foods. My day’s schedule is full of ‘silaturahims’ to friends ‘and family’s homes to convey apologies for wrongdoings I might have made during the year.
I say there is nothing wrong with that. It is true that I don’t fast during Ramadan and I don't think of Eid-al-Fitr as a victorious day against my thirst and hunger like others. But the idea of visiting friends and families for informal apologies, and more importantly keeping good relationships with them, is something universal. Regardless of your religion, it is just a nice thing to do.
On the same token, I would say the same idea can work on Christmas also. You don't have to believe that it is the day when some 2000 years ago Jesus Christ was born, as even I sometimes doubt also. But getting around a Christmas tree with family members, exchanging gifts with a good sense of love and togetherness, is priceless. Parents of any religion will find helpful to tell their kids that Santa Claus will give them presents if they behave, or if they don't, Zwarte Piet will put them inside a rug.
I believe the same goes for other holidays, and I can go on and on and on. But I’ve made myself clear, there’s nothing wrong with celebrating other religion’s holidays, and absorb the universal values that come with them.
In Egypt, a predominantly Muslim country, Christmas is widely celebrated though none more than as a secular holiday. Now, a nation whose national mottto is “Unity in Diversity” like Indonesia must do better. It is just saddening to see that some of us Indonesians still think it wrong to even wish people of different faiths a happy holiday.
Earlier this year I attended a church service during the month of Ramadan, and I was informed that on the week after (August 17th, 2010) there would be an Independence Day service. After church I went and talked to the priest and asked him, “Father, if we can hold a church service for Independence Day, I think we should hold one for Lebaran. I mean, what better way can we promote religious tolerance in this nation?”
He looked shocked at first, but after some explaining he began to see my point. In the end, he nodded and said to me that if I had told him about this idea of mine a little earlier the Lebaran church service might be possible. I told him I would make sure the year after this idea of mine can take place.
Imagine an Indonesia where people of different religions can live side by side harmoniously as in the dreams of our Founding Fathers. How wonderful it would be. This can start with us co-celebrating each other’s holidays.
So from now on, tweet this: “Happy [name of holiday] to everyone, regardless of your religion. May God always bless you”.
Of course religious holidays are meant to commemorate a sacred event for a particular faith, but there are always universal values involved in all of them. In Eid-al-Adha, for instance, we sacrifice cows and goats and donate their meat for the less fortunate to eat. Now, is there a religion in the world that says giving to the poor is not a noble thing to do? I would be surprised.
Despite being a Catholic, for almost all my life I have always celebrated other religions’ holidays to the extent that is feasible. On Eid-al-Fitr, on my family’s the dinner table there is always ketupats, chicken opor, rendang, and other sorts Eid foods. My day’s schedule is full of ‘silaturahims’ to friends ‘and family’s homes to convey apologies for wrongdoings I might have made during the year.
I say there is nothing wrong with that. It is true that I don’t fast during Ramadan and I don't think of Eid-al-Fitr as a victorious day against my thirst and hunger like others. But the idea of visiting friends and families for informal apologies, and more importantly keeping good relationships with them, is something universal. Regardless of your religion, it is just a nice thing to do.
On the same token, I would say the same idea can work on Christmas also. You don't have to believe that it is the day when some 2000 years ago Jesus Christ was born, as even I sometimes doubt also. But getting around a Christmas tree with family members, exchanging gifts with a good sense of love and togetherness, is priceless. Parents of any religion will find helpful to tell their kids that Santa Claus will give them presents if they behave, or if they don't, Zwarte Piet will put them inside a rug.
I believe the same goes for other holidays, and I can go on and on and on. But I’ve made myself clear, there’s nothing wrong with celebrating other religion’s holidays, and absorb the universal values that come with them.
In Egypt, a predominantly Muslim country, Christmas is widely celebrated though none more than as a secular holiday. Now, a nation whose national mottto is “Unity in Diversity” like Indonesia must do better. It is just saddening to see that some of us Indonesians still think it wrong to even wish people of different faiths a happy holiday.
Earlier this year I attended a church service during the month of Ramadan, and I was informed that on the week after (August 17th, 2010) there would be an Independence Day service. After church I went and talked to the priest and asked him, “Father, if we can hold a church service for Independence Day, I think we should hold one for Lebaran. I mean, what better way can we promote religious tolerance in this nation?”
He looked shocked at first, but after some explaining he began to see my point. In the end, he nodded and said to me that if I had told him about this idea of mine a little earlier the Lebaran church service might be possible. I told him I would make sure the year after this idea of mine can take place.
Imagine an Indonesia where people of different religions can live side by side harmoniously as in the dreams of our Founding Fathers. How wonderful it would be. This can start with us co-celebrating each other’s holidays.
So from now on, tweet this: “Happy [name of holiday] to everyone, regardless of your religion. May God always bless you”.
love this. have a very merry christmas :)
ReplyDeleteLOL, bro I bet the priest was SHOCKED! LOL
ReplyDelete