Egyptian Animated Video Encourages Muslims to Extend Christmas Greetings

On December 13, 2018, Dar al-Ifta' al-Misriyyah (The Egyptian Fatwa Institute) uploaded an animated video to their YouTube channel encouraging Muslims to greet Christians on their holidays. The narrator said that congratulating non-Muslims during their holidays is encouraged by Islam and in keeping with the manners of the Prophet Muhammad. She said that Islam acknowledges the principle of peaceful coexistence with all people regardless of their faith, and that it has instructed Muslims to befriend non-Muslims, to treat them with decency, and to exchange gifts with them. She also warned viewers not to fall prey to extremists who take from Islam only that which suits their whims.

Narrator: Congratulating non-Muslims during their holidays is encouraged by Islam, and is in keeping with the noble manners introduced by the Prophet Muhammad. Islam has acknowledged the principle of peaceful coexistence with all people, regardless of their faith. Moreover, Islam has instructed [Muslims] to befriend them, maintain contact with them, to give them presents, to accept presents from them, and to treat them with decency, like they were treated by our Prophet Muhammad. Follow the path of Allah and His Messenger, and do not let yourselves fall prey to the extremists and the fanatics, who take from the religion only that which suits their whims. Whenever someone disputes with their narrow ways, they take the easiest path and accuse him of heresy. The births of the prophets brought goodness and peace to all of humanity. Islam is the religion of compassion, kindness, and kinship. Islam is the religion of peace. Haven't you read the words of Allah: "We have sent you only as mercy to Mankind"?