How Should I Handle Christmas Activities At School?

Question: What should we do if our children’s elementary school has our children do Christmas activities?

Answer:

Wa alaykum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

Dear questioner,

Thank you for your important question.

Physically acting out religious activities from another religion is sinful, but not disbelief. It would be sinful to do this or allow one’s children to do that. An example of this would be having them pray like a Christian or participate in the Eucharist.

Many Christmas activities are not as religious per se such as drawing Santa Claus. They should still be avoided. Things like the nativity play can quite easily be avoided. I remember having Bible reading a school during Advent, and my parents just had me and my brothers sit in another place.

As for teaching the material, it is not disbelief, but it may well be sinful if it is of a religious nature. If I was a teacher, I would see if there is any way out of it. If not, I would look for a different job.

I think the UK is multicultural enough to allow non-Christians to voice and express their religious views in a positive and pluralistic way that affords them the right to not get involved in Christian activities in their worldly life.

I pray this helps.

[Ustadh] Farid Dingle

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Ustadh Farid Dingle has completed extensive years of study in the sciences of the Arabic language and the various Islamic Sciences. During his studies, he also earned a CIFE Certificate in Islamic Finance. Over the years he has developed a masterful ability to craft lessons that help non-Arabic speakers gain a deep understanding of the language. He currently teaches courses in the Arabic Language.