Christmas in Malaysia

Christmas in KLCC (the base of the
Petronas Towers).

Joy here...One thing I love about this country:
THEY KNOW HOW TO DO CHRISTMAS RIGHT!

Back in Canada, everyone is really politically correct and respectful of diversity, and in so being, we are very aware of the privileged status of Judeo-Christian traditions in our otherwise secular state and don't want to push it in the faces of other people who hold other traditions and religions near and dear; now the unfortunate side effect of such sensitivity is a crazy watering down of holiday spirit.  You see, in Canada, no one really says "Merry Christmas" with abandon in the public sphere.  Nor would you hear Christmas carols that are overtly religious in nature.  Santa, yes/Baby Jesus, no.  In Canada, we wish each other "Happy Holidays" or "Season's Greetings" and we listen to Jingle Bells over and over and over again, sprinkled with the odd Here Comes Santa Claus...

Christmas in Pavilion (the most amazing mall
you will ever experience).

When we're amongst friends or family, we will wish each other Merry Christmas if we know that those friends and family members actually celebrate it.  We wouldn't presume.  And for those who are Jewish, we make a point of saying "Happy Hanukkah" (if we know they're Jewish for sure) or at least "Happy Holidays" (if we're not sure whether they are or not).

Children at school have "Holiday Concerts" not "Christmas" ones, and they have "Holiday Parties" not "Christmas" ones, and loads of people have no problem turning "Christmas" into "Xmas," even on their holiday cards and decorations.

In Malaysia, it's a little bit different.

Oh, I need a little Christmas, right
this very minute...

You see, technically, the "official" religion of Malaysia is Islam.  But, like Canada, Malaysia is a multi-ethnic, multi-racial, multi-religious state; even with Islam being the "official" religion of the state there is freedom of religion and both sharia and secular court systems.  That said, they are unabashedly Christmassy in ways that Canadians have been trained is insensitive.  Girls wearing tudungs (Malay head scarves) smile at me on a regular basis and wish me a "Merry Christmas."  Whenever I buy anything in the shops, I am greeted with "Merry Christmases" throughout the interaction.  Restaurants have special Christmas menus and meals, and all the shops play the widest range of Christmas carols I've ever heard.  I've heard more about the birth of Baby Jesus in malls in this country where Islam rules the roost than I ever have in Canada.

People don't necessarily care whether Christmas as a holiday is mine or theirs, but they just love an excuse to have a holiday, and what's not merry about that???

My sister, who is visiting at the moment, saw some of the Christmas decorations in one of the newer malls in Kuala Lumpur, and when I asked her what she thought of it, she said "it was like Christmas of the future."  And I know what she means.  Malaysians out-Christmas the official celebrators of Christmas, and they mean business!

So let's buy stuff; let's sell stuff; let's give stuff; let's receive stuff; let's eat; let's drink, and let's have a merry ole time doing it all, and feel unabashed in our celebration of this crazy holiday with all its contradictions!

The Christmas decorations at the club attached to the park
where Nomi and I (and The Man) did our Christmas Eve run!

Over and out...and MERRY CHRISTMAS,

Joy