Mohamad Kanina: Mohamad Kanina: ” Our similarities are much greater than our differences ”
This year, just like last year, Christmas happens to coincide with the time when Muslims celebrate the prophet Mohammed’s birthday. I sometimes wonder, if Jesus and Mohammed met one another, how would they react? Are they satisfied with the way people behave??
Of course they don’t want us simply to celebrate and be happy, they want us to remember them and follow what they taught us about human values - to help one another, keep the peace and fight for what is good for the human race.
I have previously wrtten a lot about Arab culture, and now my efforts are directed towards understanding Swedish culture.
I can confirm that there is no great difference between the two cultures. This is especially true of important common values: for example we all appreciate freedom, humanity, human dignity and happiness.
But I am sorry to say that I think there are many prejudices in the community against Muslims. My belief is that fundamentally, before we are labelled according to our religion or nationality, we are all human beings with the same basic needs, dreams, the need to be loved, a family to take care of us.
One thing that we Muslims know about Christmas is that it is celebrated primarily too spread warmth and love, to share what we have with people who are have less than we do. Not material values.
The better we get to understand one another, the more we can see how little difference there is between us.
I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
