In an America that celebrates both a religious and secular Christmas, South Asian Americans from other faiths are finding ways to make the holiday their own. - NBCNewsAsianAmerica
, say that the holiday has religious meaning for them, down more than 10 percentage points compared to a decade ago.
“People get to experience family and joy and happiness more times if they are celebrating Diwali and Christmas. That doesn’t necessarily indicate a change in identity.”Several South Asian countries have large Christian communities, but combined populations of Hindus, Muslims, Jains, Sikhs and other religions make up the vast majority across the region.
Christmas wasn’t always a staple in the Hazrati home. But when Hazrati’s younger sister Ambher started school, the feeling of FOMO, or fear of missing out, set in — surrounded by predominantly Christian peers — and the Hazratis found their own way of celebrating the holiday. They would even take turns frantically moving their Elf on the Shelf overnight, as the tradition goes, to keep the magic alive for her.
After they realized the othering impact that not celebrating Christmas had on the kids, her family decided they would exchange gifts that December and Iqbal went “all-out” with the decorations. But for her Indian American kids, decorating gingerbread houses in school and driving around to see the neighborhood Christmas lights were always symbols of “happiness and celebration.”“I realized that we were a mixed culture,” Dewji said. “And you can’t totally shut out the American culture either.”
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Christmas Carnage Continues with Christmas Bloody ChristmasThe classic blend of horror and Christmas come together again with Christmas Bloody Christmas, and Jason chats with Joe Begos, the writer and director. ChristmasBloodyChristmas Christmas Horror
Read more »
'High impact' Christmas week winter storm could lead to travel nightmare for millions of AmericansThose living or traveling to and from the eastern third of the country will need to pay very close attention to the forecast as it becomes locked in in the coming days.
Read more »
FRIGID FORECAST: Prepare for a hard freeze in South Central Texas ahead of Christmas weekendArctic, bitterly cold air will spill across Texas the Thursday (12/22) before Christmas weekend. This will bring the first killing freeze of the season to San Antonio, and a hard freeze is likely for a few mornings as temperatures plummet into the teens and 20s.
Read more »
KATIE (Katie Kim) to release self-produced Christmas carol song 'Christmas Last Awhile' | allkpopKATIE (Katie Kim) is returning with a new Christmas song!The R&B singer/songwriter will be releasing her new song 'Christmas Last Awhile,&qu…
Read more »
D.C.-area forecast: A dry chill yields to late-week rain before an Arctic blastExpect freezing temperatures and a biting wind Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Read more »