Can a Christian greet a Muslim on Ramadan?

Philippines
September 20, 2008 4:09am CST
I am a Christian but my sister and her family are Muslim. I would like to greet them this Ramadan but do not know what to say. I also do not know if I should or can greet them a blessed Ramadan since I am a Christian. I do not know if that is proper in Islam. She and my brother-in-law always greet us during Easter and Christmas so this year I wanted to do the same and greet them during or at the end of Ramadan. Can anyone out there help and advice me?
1 person likes this
10 responses
• Philippines
20 Sep 08
Yes you can greet the Muslim a happy Ramadan since that celebration is the time for them to clean their souls so that Allah could forgive them. Let them feel that you are supporting them and you respect their religious practice. My school's population is 90 percent Muslim so it is no longer new to us, we are one with them, every 6 pm, all my Muslim classmates were excused so that they could eat and we requested them to bring some snacks, hehe..
1 person likes this
@gerald_lian (2188)
• Australia
20 Sep 08
In my opinion and perspective, I don't see any issues in trying to wish your sister and her family a blessed Ramadan. I am sure every religion teaches us to be understanding about other religions and also to try and maintain harmony between peoples of different religions. So, if it's indeed your heartfelt desire to wish or greet them during the Muslim fasting month, I would advise you to be bold and go ahead with it. In fact, back in my home country, my direct neighbors are Muslims and my family, as Christians, always greet and visit them during their religion's celebrations (Ramadan, Aidilfitri, Aidiladha etc.). While we have different religions, we really promote and support racial and religion harmony; at times we even offer food to each other during the religious celebrations! Most importantly, make sure there are no hard feelings and do not greet in a sarcastic or insincere manner, because this can say a lot about your personality and your religion. Well, on the issue of what to say, I guess it would be best to keep it short and simple. A simple phrase like "A blessed Ramadan to you" or "Happy Ramadan" should suffice. But it's really up to you how you want to say it....be spontaneous but be tactful at the same time. Good luck, and I wish you all the best!
1 person likes this
@ronaldinu (12422)
• Malta
11 Oct 08
I don't see anything wrong in it!
@rizzu87 (860)
• Malaysia
27 Sep 08
I think you can difinately greet them, because what i heard is that chiristians can greet muslims and can be a part of their celebrations. So you can greet them by saying eid mubarak or Happy EID. And if your sister has kids then you can pay them some amount as eidi. Thats how we celebrate and greet people. And spend a nice time with them.
@marzoeki (138)
• Indonesia
22 Sep 08
ooo,,, it's simple brother.. you are christian,, so be an christian... are christian believe about ramadhan,, is it not,, why u try to greet them,, you just will get sin for that,, same case with moslem,, in islam,,christmas is not believed,, so the true Moslem will not greet u too,, my religion are mine,, and your religion are yours,, ok,... ciaw
• Philippines
22 Sep 08
I think it is beliefs like yours that is the cause of so much of the world's problems. Even if my sister and I are of different religions she is still my sister and I her brother. We still have the same blood and the from the same parents. Our mutual love and respect for each other as family does not change. If it is a sin that I greet her because she is Muslim then I'd rather sin. From what I know Islam is a religion of peace. Well, the Christian religion is one of love. If love and peace cannot coexist then something is really wrong because peace without love is not peace and vice versa. If we both sin by greeting one another out of respect then better have no religion. A greeting is a show of love to your neighbor. Why do you have so much hate in you my brother? If Christian and Muslim learn to see eye to eye pass the doctrines and the rituals you would see the we are not different in fact much alike. Did you know I have read parts of the Qur'an and as such became a better Christian for it? Do I condemn Islam if I greet you? No, in fact what I am saying is that I respect you as a person and hold Islam in high esteem. You say I be just be a Christian? Well, as a Christian we are taught to love our neighbors which mean all people even Muslims. We are living in a world where it is easier to hate and condemn rather than love. Would you rather have that than peace? No, I do not understand Ramadan or the Eid but I know it is important to my sister which is why I greet her. I do not have to believe in it I just have to know that she does and that it is important to her. So i show her my respect. As for Christmas, I believe you have heard of Miriam and her son? I believe it is in the Qur'an. Finally to you my brother with all sincerity - Assalamu Alaikum Ramadan Mubarak.
@Harley009 (1416)
• India
28 Sep 08
Marzoeki, There is no harm in just greeting them. However we may not believe what is behind their festival is, Just want to wish our friends and relatives some good days. Some conservative Muslims like to say "Happy Days"/ "Happy Holidays" on non-Islamic festivals. I used to wish for Christmas, Diwali, etc.
@ronaldinu (12422)
• Malta
11 Oct 08
you just will get sin for that,, This is a case of a radical Muslim. If you read well the Quran, Muslims should regard Christians with high esteem and even mixed marriage is allowed between the two. (although males are allowed to marry non muslims and women are not allowed to marry non muslims and I don't agree with this!) He does not have a valid one iota of a proof of what he is saying. Lets promote peace love and unity instead of hate!
• United States
18 Aug 09
dear paxmundi, i am a muslim, & i was just reading what you wrote to marzoeki, and i wanted to say that you are so right and i have so much respect for you, the world needs more people like you. peace brother.
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
21 Sep 08
Personally, I would think there is nothing wrong with wishing the a Blessed Ramadan as they have the right to choose to believe as they want. If they are respective of your Holidays and such, they might find it offensive if you do not. I work with people that are Muslim and I have greeted them, etc. and respect them as well as them me, and I am Christian and they all know it.
• India
22 Sep 08
I think it is quite ok to greet a Muslim on Ramadan. Even here we greet Hindus on Deepavali. They also greet us on Easter and Christmas. I think for those living in a multi religious society that is part of interacting with the others.
@Harley009 (1416)
• India
22 Sep 08
There is no problem as long as you don't have a problem with it It is Ramadan already, You can wish "Blessed Ramadan" or in General Muslim's ways of wishing for Ramadan is "Ramadan Mubarak" or "Ramadan Kareem Mubarak" that means blessings for the noble Ramadan. After the end of Ramdan Fasting month the very next day is Eid (Eid ul-Fitr)(1st of the Month Shavval in Hijri Callendar), one of the holy festivals of Muslims, it might be on Sep 30/oct1s or 2nd in this year, depends on geographical area, you can wish for Eid too, you can wish "Eid Mubarak" or "Happy Eid" Have a nice time.
• Bangladesh
21 Sep 08
I am a Muslim. I don't think there is any problem to take greetings from a cristian. But I don't know about your religion. I don't have the answer, if your religion allows you to greet a muslim or not. But I believe you can. Because cristian religion has least bindings for their followers. So it's a high time to greet the muslim and show that you'r generous and don't make any difference between the cristian or religios person. This will also help you to improve your impression among them. You can also greet them in the next EID DAY. This is a very special day for the muslims. Your sis will be so happy if you greet her on the Eid.