Donald Trump and his supporters would do well to remember that most Muslims in the world today celebrate Christmas with their Christian brethren. Jesus is revered alongside Muhammad, Moses, Abraham and other prophets of monotheism by most Muslims. They exchange cards and presents with friends and family, gather for meals, pray for peace, and have parties around decorated evergreen trees.
In Indonesia, a staunch ally of the U.S. since its origins in 1947, and a country having the largest Muslim population in the world (90 percent), all the ballrooms of the major hotels are reserved for parties for the week before Christmas.
Religious divisions, often exploited by a few extremists, are pushed aside during the holidays, as people of good will hope for peace in the spirit of whichever prophets they embrace. Let us pray the next president can rise above our national ignorance of other faiths and embrace this spirit.
Michael S. Hamilton, Berthoud
The writer is an emeritus professor of political science at the University of Southern Maine.
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