Marabella · 2025–26
The institute's statement and the response
Darul Iftaa, Jaamia Madinatul Uloom (fatwa-tt.com), 29 October 2025: Relies on tawḥīd, Qur'an 3:19 and the hadith “Whoever emulates a people is from among them.” States that Diwali, Christmas and similar festivals are “inherently associated with beliefs and rituals rooted in kufr (disbelief) and shirk (polytheism)” and that “while Islam commands tolerance and coexistence” it does not sanction the veneration of other faiths' observances. Trinidad Express — Khamarie Rodriguez, 8 November 2026: A now-deleted release on the institute's Facebook page said it is impermissible for Muslims to greet Hindus with “Happy Diwali” or Christians with “Merry Christmas”, or for Muslim businesses to market products bearing such greetings. It urged cordial relations without engaging in celebrations that contravene Islamic beliefs. Trinidad Express — Digital Desk, 8 November 2026: The Darul Iftaa said the release was guidance for Muslims associated with its institutions, not addressed to Hindus, and “We fully recognise and respect their right to do so.” It said Muslims may exchange universal greetings and courtesy but maintained: “A distinction must be made between such general expressions of goodwill and greetings that specifically acknowledge, endorse or celebrate religious occasions associated with beliefs contrary to Islam.” Trinidad Express — Khamarie Rodriguez, 9 November 2026: IRO president Dr Ellis Burris said he did not think the statement would stoke division: “If people understand religious organisations, that should not be a problem.” And: “People will enjoy their Divali anyway.”
Rulings
What other Muslim authorities have published
Dar al-Ifta al-Misriyyah (Egypt), 18 November 2013: Question: “Is it permissible to congratulate non-Muslims on their religious festivals like Christmas, Diwali, etc.?” Answer cites Qur'an 60:8, 4:86 and 2:83: there is no objection to congratulating peaceful non-Muslims on occasions that do not violate the fundamentals of Islam. “Exchanging congratulations with non-Muslims does not mean acknowledging their disbelief.” Dar al-Ifta al-Misriyyah (Egypt), 2 December 2024: “There is a big difference between hating disbelief and hating people.” Muslims may congratulate Christian friends and family and share their happiness, provided they avoid religious rites that contradict Islam. MajlisTT, via MAI Institute, 2 March 2023: Records “diverse and often conflicting Muslim positions in Trinidad and Tobago”. Its ruling: generic or seasonal greetings such as “Happy Divali” and “Merry Christmas” are acceptable as greetings of the season, not endorsements of theology; greetings that explicitly affirm another religion's beliefs should be avoided. Malay Mail, 20 December 2016: Federal Territories Mufti Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri cited Malaysia's National Fatwa Committee (78th meeting, 2007): festive greetings to non-Muslims are permissible provided they do not glorify another faith or use its religious symbols. “It's no more than a mere greeting to express happiness.” Sinar Harian, 23 December 2024: Quoting the Federal Territories Mufti Office's Tahqiq al-Masail 7: the question is ijtihadi — a matter of scholarly reasoning — and neither absolutely prohibited nor absolutely permitted; it depends on circumstances. Darul Uloom Trinidad & Tobago, 15 March 2012: A separate Trinidad institution holding the prohibitive view: it is not permissible to extend greetings on other communities' religious festivals, citing Hanafi fatwa compilations including al-Fatawa al-Tatarkhaniyya. Dar al-Ifta al-Misriyyah (Egypt), 18 July 2024: Sets out the prohibitive case, including Ibn al-Qayyim's statement that congratulating others on rites specific to their religion is forbidden “by agreement”, then argues against it.
Texts
Qur'an, hadith and Bible passages
Quran.com, Scripture: “Allah does not forbid you from dealing kindly and fairly with those who have neither fought nor driven you out of your homes because of your faith.” Verse 9 concerns those who did fight and expel Muslims. Quran.com, Scripture: 4:86: return a greeting with a better one or at least its equal. 2:83: speak good words to people. 6:108: do not insult what others call upon besides God. 109:6: “For you is your religion, and for me is my religion.” Sunnah.com, Hadith: “Whoever imitates a people is one of them.” The hadith the institute relies on; scholars differ on what counts as prohibited imitation (tashabbuh). Bible Gateway (NIV), Scripture: The Good Samaritan; “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone”; answer for your hope “with gentleness and respect”; flee idolatry, yet seek the good of others in social settings.
Context
Religion in Trinidad and Tobago
U.S. Department of State, 29 May 2018: Citing the 2011 census: 26.5% Protestant, 21.6% Roman Catholic, 18.2% Hindu, 5% Muslim. The Constitution provides for freedom of conscience and religious belief and observance. Lawfare — Simon Cottee, 17 November 2019: More than 240 Trinidad and Tobago nationals had migrated to the so-called caliphate by 2017, making the country one of its largest recruiting grounds per capita.
Extracts are summarised from the document of record, which is linked above. Where a passage is disputed, this newsroom will publish the correction alongside the extract.