Everyone knew it was Christmas because everywhere you looked there were forest coloured trees, decorations in shops, sparkling lights and of course Santa Claus! But what many people forget is that not everyone celebrates Christmas.
| When we were making cards at school, I was the only one who drew a cross |
According to the last national census, Islam was the most common faith after Christianity and I am one of 1.6 million Muslim people in the UK who do not celebrate Christmas.
For me December 25 is an important day because it is the day Jesus was born, but it's not as important as Eid is to my family and me.
Eid is not a public holiday, but it marks the end of Ramadan and for many Muslim people it is the most precious day in the year.
But this doesn't mean I ignore Christmas. My family still gives gifts to our friends and other people who celebrate it, but we don't give gifts to each other. We don't have things like tinsel or trees in our house but my sister and I make paper chains.
Sometimes it is hard because it seems like everyone in the world is getting ready for Christmas. At school everyone gets involved in pantomimes and lots of my friends spend ages preparing for all the parties they've been invited to.
Half of me wishes I celebrated Christmas and the other half of me doesn't. That part of me is very proud to be Muslim. I'm also proud that when I do celebrate Eid, I know why I'm doing it. I know the meaning behind Ramadan and at the end of the day I am happy with my decision.
To me it seems that a lot of young people do not really know the meaning behind Christmas. When we were making cards at school, I was the only one who drew a cross. Everyone else in my class chose to draw pictures of Christmas presents, Santa Claus or elves.
I think it's sad that young people don't really understand why they're celebrating Christmas. What's the point in having all that fun if you don't really know why you are doing it?
About the team
This story was produced by Nivine Arafa, 10. It was published by the Highbury and Islington Express.
