Who would have thought that the two words “Merry Christmas” would strike fear in many conservative Malays?

Halal-certified bakeries are banned from displaying cakes with “Merry Christmas” on the icing, and a cake shop told its employees not to ice their cakes with the words “Merry Christmas” but instead provide a “Season’s Greetings” message, for fear of violating the company’s halal certification.

When Malaysians mocked this ridiculous ruling, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs), Mohd Na’im Mokhtar was forced to respond.

On 17 December, he said there was no ban on writing festival greetings for customers on cakes sold by halal certificate holders.

Despite the minister’s denial, the cake shop maintained that it was merely following orders.

Sadly, damage has been done. The inexplicable fear of the religious authorities by the words “Merry Christmas” is beyond comprehension.

Did they imagine the cake would turn non-halal by the words alone? Did they think the employees baking and icing the cake would embrace Christianity?

Those in power simply ignore the consequences of their actions or their ill thought-out directives. The cake shop was accused of being racist.

Life is too short for Malaysians to start thinking of banning anything which is non-Islamic. What will Malaysians lose, if for some perverse reasons, the government of Malaysia decides to emulate its neighbour Brunei and ban Christmas?

For a start, we will be going against Article 11 of the Constitution, the founding document of this nation.

Article 11 provides all Malaysians with the freedom to profess and practise their own religions.

Might is not right. The peaceful co-existence of Christians, Jews and Muslims existed during the Prophet’s time.

In Spain, Morocco, Egypt, Turkey and Iraq, people of all faiths once lived in harmony.

The phrase “Malaysia boleh” could easily apply to community interaction. Banning Christmas destroys any peace and goodwill among Malaysians of different beliefs.

Celebrating the birth of Jesus means many things to many people. To most Christians, it is a time for hope, forgiveness, and compassion towards other humans and animals.

With various countries at war, or being destroyed by conflicts, what is stopping Malaysia from showing the world that multiculturalism works? Hope makes the world go round, and a better place to live.

If our authorities banned public celebration of Christmas because it may “lead Muslims astray and damage their faith”, isn’t that a sign of a weak government?

If a Muslim’s faith is shaken at the sight of a Christmas tree, then something is wrong with that person’s faith (aqidah).

Perhaps, the government is also feeling insecure. It probably thinks it is losing its grip on controlling the population.

Banning is not the answer to any problem; one must address the root of the problem.

Banning demonstrations only makes people angrier because the avenue to vent their frustration is taken away from them.

Watching “Babe”, the film about a friendly and clever pig, will not make Muslims want to gorge on roast pork or bacon sandwiches.

“The Da Vinci Code” movie or book will not make Muslims become Christians overnight.

Banning these items only stimulate people’s curiosity.

Banning Christmas will make Muslims mock their religious leaders even more, and make them want to experience this “forbidden” event, just like the fruit of the tree of knowledge in the Garden of Eden.

Banning Christmas would mean that traders will lose commercial opportunities and the government will lose revenue from GST and other taxes.

Banning Christmas will also affect Muslims who are makers of greetings cards and other Christmassy items.

Some Muslim cooks make a roaring trade baking or supplying Christmas cakes.

Banning Christmas would take away the pleasure of enjoying mince pies, Christmas puddings, brandy butter, and brandy-laced Christmas cakes.

Whole generation of Malaysians will miss the experience of pulling Christmas crackers at the dining table, making a wish when they stir their Christmas puddings, or sample roast turkey stuffed with sage and onion or chestnut, and cranberry sauce.

Christmas falls during the long school holidays. Dressing up for Christmas parties is half the fun of attending these gatherings.

Soon, going to these Christmas parties will be only enjoyed by the rich Muslims, as their houses will never get raided.

The Malay elite holiday overseas to enjoy Christmas in cities like London and New York, away from the prying eyes of Jakim or conservative Muslims.

Imams who declare that Muslims damage their aqidah (beliefs) by helping their Christian friends decorate Christmas trees, singing carols and offering Christmas greetings, have very little faith in their brethren.

Generations of many Muslim families have enrolled in mission schools, and yet none has converted to Christianity.

Perhaps, it is the imams who lack confidence!

If Christmas is banned, just think of the rise in economy of foreign nations, when Malaysians spill over the border to Thailand, across the causeway to Singapore, cross the narrow Strait of Melaka to Indonesia, to celebrate Christmas or just delight in Christmas lights in their shopping centres.

We would not just lose peace and goodwill if we were to ban Christmas. We will also risk our reputation as a moderate nation.

It is much better to ban the extremists in our midst than jeopardise  our dignity.

Merry Christmas to everyone!

Sources:

1. Malaysiakini: Jakim says no ban on Christmas cake greetings after bakery’s circular
2. The Vibes: Bakery chain says no Christmas greeting on cakes to protect halal cert

(Mariam Mokhtar is a Freelance Writer.)