COMMENT | Every Christmas, as I am setting the turkey to roast, I am reminded of the time when my children asked me why God made them Muslims and not Christians.

It all happened about eight years ago, my girl was then 12 and my boy, 10. We were sitting in a restaurant at Mid Valley Megamall when the three of us were in awe, admiring the gorgeous Christmas tree displayed at the mall.

“Christians are so lucky, Ma. They get to receive lots of presents on Christmas while we have to fast one whole month before Raya,” my boy grumbled.

My girl then reminded her little brother not to say such things, because God would not be pleased.

“Nanti masuk neraka (You will end up in hell),” she said.

I laughed and told both of them that it is the same God who had created both Christians and Muslims.

“But God must have wanted you to be a Muslim, that’s why He decided to put you inside my tummy – because I am a Muslim mother.

“If God wanted you to be a Christian, he would have chosen a different tummy,” I explained.

I asked my children if they had any regrets being born Muslims. Both of them agreed that they cannot imagine not being Muslims.

“I want to be a Muslim, but it’s still nice to have a Christmas tree in our house and get presents,” my little munchkins said...