Syeda will be celebrating the holiday season with her Pakistani-American family, because itвІ s the only time of the year where everyone is off from work. Though she was not born or raised in the U.S., Syeda and her family wrapped and exchanged presents, solely to be part of something that was happening culturally around them.
The idea of Christmas we just think of generally as a winter holiday, so we donвІ t necessarily celebrate itвІV or have a significant religious attachment to it,вІ said Mehreen Syeda 27, from New Hyde Park, Long Island.
Mexhuani was born in the Bronx and her family of three siblings and her parents were born and raised in Albania. SheвІ s never experienced a year without Christmas.
I grew up in an apartment building and my dad was the super. We always used to put up a tree in the lobby, and so we started doing it in my house. ItвІ s just how itвІ s always been, really,вІ she said.
She celebrates a holiday with her family every year around Christmas time, but doesnвІ t call it Christmas. вІ
ItвІ ll be celebrating to the extent of, not really ChristmasвІV but you know like the whole decorating, and the gift giving, and all that stuff. But if you call that celebrating it, then I guess I am,вІ she said.
Retail manager Dafina Mexhuani, 21, from Westbury, does the same. вІ
I just enjoy the spirit of it. IвІ m not celebrating anything religious, just being with familyвІVвІ Arif said.
However, unlike Christian and Catholic families who celebrate the birth of Christ every Dec. 25, ArifвІ s family celebrates the atmosphere of the holidays. вІ
Arif is a first-generation Muslim-American with Pakistani parents. Her family, like many others, has made it a tradition to gather with loved ones and exchange gifts during Christmas time.
ItвІ s really just celebrating the season. ItвІ s the only time of the year where families donвІ t have work or anything like that,вІ Arif said.
holiday-crazyвІ during this time of year.
ChristmasвІ but it becomes almost inevitable to join in with friends and neighbors who go вІ
Indeed, itвІ s becoming almost a custom to celebrate Christmas for most Muslim-Americans. Many came from countries that donвІ t even have a word for вІ
Growing up, we did have a Christmas treeвІV I think just because he [dad] didnвІ t want us to feel left out,вІ said student Asra Arif, 20, from Deer Park.
Christmas is turning into a cultural holiday for some Muslims in the Long Island area as they mark the occasion with gifts, decorations, and family get-togethers.
By Farhan Husain for The Long Island Report
A Muslim Christmas on Long Island
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A Muslim Christmas on Long Island « Pakistanis for Peace
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