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Giving thanks is no heresy, you turkeys

Posted in Irshaddering Thoughts on Oct 08, 2007

In Canada, it’s Thanksgiving Day. You’d think that all people of faith would welcome a semi-spiritual moment in the West’s calendar.

But how does one Toronto-area mosque reportedly recognize this most harmless, even honourable, of holidays? By telling Muslims that we’re kuffar if we participate in Thanksgiving greetings and dinners.

Apart from being mean-spirited and absurd, this decree is highly ironic. After all, etymologically speaking, “kuffar” refers to someone who’s ungrateful to God.

So think about it: If we express gratitude to God on Thanksgiving, we’re kuffar - ungrateful to God. Huh? How does that work?

As I said in a recent radio interview, teachings like these only feed off the ignorance of newly arrived Muslim communities. We should question our imams and civic leaders. I, for one, am grateful that I’ve taken the opportunity to educate myself, which is a privilege we enjoy in free societies.

Tonight, as I break my fast, I’ll be praying that more of us Muslims distinguish between education and indoctrination. Ameen and pass the gravy, please.