Muslim Involvement in Non-Muslim Events

MajlisTT notes the recurring instances of very diverse vocal and public positions regarding the involvement, participation and commemoration of Muslims in non-Muslim events – in particular those events of a religious nature – within Trinidad and Tobago society.

The term ‘events’ include, but are not limited to, recurring official and unofficial calendar events and festivals such as Divali, Christmas, Carnival, Easter and Phagwa. The term also includes non-calendar or non-national events that apply at the community or family levels, including church-services, pujas, weddings, baptisms, funerals, thanksgivings, birthday parties, celebrations and other such events held by persons of other denominations, or of no particular religious denomination. 

There are numerous concerns that emerge and which are acknowledged in relation to these various events identified, which span acknowledgement, endorsement, commemoration and participation by Muslims. 

The diverse positions relative to these practices across events range from very accommodating and inclusive to avoidance and exclusionary positions held by different segments of the Muslim community.

What does Islam say?