by Tahmina Sattar

Created on: July 03, 2009   Last Updated: July 25, 2009

A good way of keeping Muslim traditions alive while living in non- Muslim countries is to include your non - Muslim friends and neighbours in your events. Not only will you be promoting tolerance and understanding for Muslims, you can teach your own youth how to adjust and get along in their non - Muslim society.

When its Ramadan, and that fasting schedule takes over, don't hide the fact that you aren't eating! Put up a humorous poster up at work about the tradition of waking early - to eat as much as possible before the fasting day begins. Arrange an Iftar party if you are still at work at that time and share some traditional treats for that sunset breakfast. Ask your children to invite their school friends for Iftar one weekend. Make sure you ask anybody you invite if they any dietary restrictions so as to cater for them. This shows respect for others beliefs as well as encourages reciprocal understanding of Islamic dietary restrictions.

Organise an Eid day picnic or barbecue - invite your neighbours in the celebrations. Explain the etiquette to them prior to the party so that they understand what is appropriate amongst Muslims. On the Eid of Adha, make a packet of meat specially for your neighbour. Explain to them that it is a gift in remembrance of that special day when the prophet Ibrahim was prepared to make the most difficult of sacrifices- his beloved son. Decorate your house for the days of Eid and ask your children to make paper chains, blow up balloons, prepare party games and party bags. Make extra party bags for your children to take for their classmates and share Eid with them.

Ask your children to make a Sadaqa Jar. They can fill this jar with coins throughout the year, either from their allowance, chore payments, or part time jobs. Remind them how charity is important in Islam and encourage them to donate from their jar regularly to local charity organisations,homeless projects or orphanages.

Have a Henna party. Traditionally Henna parties are held before weddings. Again invite your non - Muslim friends and neighbours to glimpse how this important day uses traditional beautification treatments such as henna and turmeric to bring out the natural beauty of the bride. Its also common to have a Henna party for kids the night before Eid.

These are only some ways Muslims have kept their traditions alive, but there are countless other traditions which are important and integral to a Muslim's faith such as visiting the sick, looking after the elderly and welcoming the newborn child. It is up to the Muslim to find a way to involve their immediate non-Muslim community in keeping those traditions alive as well as contributing to the overall improvement in dialogue with society at large.

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