Gus Mus: It is a strange habit questioning 'Merry Christmas' greeting

Jakarta, NU Online
It seems to be a snowball that keeps rolling, the Indonesian people, especially some Muslims, every year always discuss whether a Muslim could congratulate Christmas or not.
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According to the leader of Raudlatut Thalibin Islamic boarding school (pesantren) KH A. Mustofa Bisri, popularly known as Gus Mus, questioning whether congratulating non-Muslims on their religious festivals, including Christmas, is allowed (halal) or forbidden (haram) is such a strange habit.

"In the era of 'reform', there is a strange habit: celebrating Christmas by discussing (whether) congratulating (non-Muslims) on their festivals (is allowed of forbidden)," said Gus Mus on his Facebook wall 'Ahmad Mustafa Bisri', Friday (25/12).

Maintaining harmony

Ih his lectures on various occasions, Gus Mus has always called on people to be aware of their identity as part of Indonesia that consists of different languages, cultures, and religions and so fourth.

By understanding 'unity in diversity, Gus Mus has called for the importance of peope of being aware of their Indonesianess. Realizing the Indonesianess is recognizing that Indonesia as a nation has always been united by diversity instead of uniformity.

Gus Mus explained in his book entitled 'Membuka Pintu Langit (Opening the Doors of Heaven)', "thus, one must be aware that he is a person or part of Indonesia, a nation comprised of over 400 tribes with different traditions, cultures, beliefs, and religions but could coexist peacefully for centuries.

On this stand, many activists and people considering that Muslims who wish their non-Muslims friends happy Christmas with the aim of maintaining harmony and uphold the unity among religious believers and people of Indonesia should be appreciated. (masdar)