According to Salmann Tamimi, chairman of the Muslim Association in Iceland, many Muslims decorate Christmas trees, exchange gifts and enjoy traditional Christmas foods over the holiday season.
Perhaps unknown to many Christians is the fact that Muslims believe Jesus Christ is a prophet of God, who will return on Judgement Day to exact justice against the wicked. For this reason, Christmas has significance to many Muslims.
Tamimi told RÚV that while Christmas is not really of religious significance to Muslims, they do see the holiday as an old, honorable festival, even if no one knows exactly when Jesus was born. Tamimi, who grew up in Jerusalem, said that many of the city’s Muslims take part in Christian holidays.
There are close to 400 Muslims registered with the Muslim Association in Iceland.