LETTER | I had a vision of walking down Main Street.
At a shopping mall a wondrous sight I did meet.
Men in abaya and keffiyeh bid me welcome
with warm greetings of “Shalom aleichem.“
Women robed in modest wear
with shawls to cover their hair
showed me a nativity scene
of the prophet sent to save us from sin.
There were no flying reindeers or mythical elves to lead us astray
from honouring in the proper way
prophet Isa ibn Maryam's birthday.
The prophet Ibrahim was the first to undergo circumcision.
Like all Jewish males, Isa underwent the same incision.
He is known to us
as Isa, Xosa, Jesu or Jesus.
Different culture different name
the prophet and his message remain the same.
Religions share common features
of respecting our fellow humans and all God's creatures.
We are taught to be good
by providing the homeless with nutritious food.
For the poor and neglected old
new warm clothing to keep out the cold.
Muslims and Christians honour Isa ibn Maryam's birthday
with greetings of “Peace be upon you” on this holy day.
A dreamer I might be
This wondrous sight I would love to see.
The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.